478 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



One of the ablest arguments in favor of such an institution is found in a memorial 

 to the Legislature, which was prepared by Bela Hubbard for the committee of the 

 society, and under its resolution, and presented to the Legislature in 1850. The So- 

 ciety continued its labors in this direction to success; and after the agricultural 

 school was established, the librarj' which the society had previously gathered was 

 donated to it. After its establishment, tiie society used its influence to procure from 

 Congress a grant of lands in aid of the institution, and in its proceedings we tind 

 that a memorial was directed to be prepared and submitted to Congress asking for 

 such an appropriation. Tlie efforts of the society, coupled with others in the same 

 direction, resulted in the passage by Congress of the act of 1862, which gave to the 

 college 235,673.37 acres of land, to be selected and sold, and proceeds to be used for the 

 beneflt of the college. A recent report shows that there were of these lands unsold 

 Sept. 30, 1878, 161,647.75 acres, all lying in the Lower Peninsula and north of the cor- 

 rection line which extends east and west across the State, between townships 20 and 

 21 north. This society having no selfish purpose, no design to gratify personal or 

 local pride, but being formed solely with a view to the general good, whatever tends 

 to promote such good must rejoice the heart of every one of its true friends. That 

 the college has done much for the dissemination of information among agriculturists 

 is not now an open question, not only in educating the students who visit the insti- 

 tution for Instruction, but through its professors in the dissemination of informa- 

 tion by lectures and essays, and lately, and in a most effectual manner, by the 

 inauguration of farmers' institutes which are being held in different localities through- 

 out the State, and in which, I am happy to say, a great interest is manifested, and 

 which cannot fail to do in the future, as they have done in the past, great good. Ev- 

 ery organization, whether local or general, which has for its object the promotion of 

 agriculture and its kindred arts, must receive the cordial sympathy and support of 

 this society. All such are co-workers in a common cause, and the most cordial rela- 

 tions should exist among them all. Each bearing in mind that the general good 

 only should be the aim of every member, whatever may operate most effectually to 

 produce that end, no matter from what source emanating, should be cordially sec- 

 onded and endorsed by all. In this connection I suggest whether it would not be 

 wise for the Executive Committee to meet once, or oftener, each year, at the College, 

 that the members of the Executive Committee may become personally familiar with 

 the workings of the institution, and able to state from their personal observation, 

 concerning its management and its advantages, and may also be able, by friendly 

 suggestions, to render assistance to the Board of Agriculture and the officers of the 

 College, should any points be observed wherein good in that direction might be ac- 

 complished. I have no doubt the authorities of the College would cheerfully grant 

 any facilities for such meetings that might be desired. It should be our aim to keep 

 constantly in view the objects of our society. As stated above, it was by its found- 

 ers regarded as an educational institution. Those of us who for the time being are 

 charged with its management should be careful tliat in all things it educates wisely 

 and well, and nothing should be allowed under the auspices of the society which can 

 be regarded as having an immoral tendency. 



I am glad to be able to mention the fact that since the abolition of speed premi- 

 ums the three fairs of the society have been among the most successful and satisfac- 

 tory ones ever held. Those who entertained the idea that trials of speed were 

 necessary for tlie success of our fairs, and that it was those trials that called forth 

 the large attendance, and enabled the society to receive an income whereby it could 

 pa}' its premiums, were mistaken, as the last three fairs have demonstrated. The 

 farmers of this State will support the society so long as it continues true to the ob- 

 ject of its organization; and certainly if it cannot be supported upon that basis, the 

 general good would be promoted by its ceasing to exist. But we have occasion for 

 congratulation upon the experiences of the last three years. The society never was 

 so strong financially and never so strong in the affections of the people as at the 

 present time. 



I congratulate you, gentlemen, and the farmers throughout the State, upon the 

 bountiful crops of the past year. As a wheat-growing State 3Iichigan has taken 

 rank with the best. I was inforuuMl by one of the heaviest produce merchants of the 

 Union during the past year, that while a few years ago Minnesota hard wheat was 

 considered the best produced, yet now Michigan white wlieat, in the markets of New- 

 York and Liverpool, takes jirecedence over all others. Tliis is a very important 

 consideration for us, in view of the fact that about one-third of the entire wheat 

 product of the United States is sold for export. 



Tlie reports of tlie Secretary, Treasurer and of tlie Business Committee will give 

 you the exact financial history of the jiast year. The society liad on liand the first 

 of April of last year, about ^8,000. Since that date tlie treasurer has received some- 



