480 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



The iissessed valuation of the State of Michigan, as made b.y the supervisors for 

 1876, was approxiuKitel}^ 3375,000.000. The assessment of liighway labor is probably 

 not less than one-half day upon the hundred dollars valuation, nor «^reater than one 

 day upon the same valuation throughout the State. If it was one-half day only, the 

 total highway tax assessed annually in labor would be 81,875,000 for the State. Prob- 

 ably it is safe to say that it is at least $2,000,000, for many of the towns assess the 

 full day to the hundred dollars of valuation. If we add to this the amount which is 

 voted on the recommendation of the commissioner of highways and expended under 

 his direction — the total of which we have no means of ascertaining — it would swell 

 the total to a much larger amount. The suggestions made by Gov. Croswell in his 

 recent message, that some provision should be made for obtaining statistics in regard 

 to these matters, is a most excellent one, and 1 hope the Legislature will make pro- 

 vision accordingly. I think it is the common experience throughout the State that 

 this assessment of highway labor does not give us such results as might reasonably 

 be expected from the amount of tax. It is too often the case that working on the 

 highways developes into a social visitation, a period for telling stories, practically a 

 few days' recreation. The object of the law is to give good roads; the effect is quite 

 different. Road-making requires skill in design and in execution, and should be under 

 the supervision of skilled men. 1 suggest whether the subject is not of sutlicient im- 

 portance to the farmer to justify this society in offering a premium for an essay 

 upon this subject, adapted to tiie climate, soil, condition, and laws of Michigan, to be 

 made short and practical, and which shall consider whether the laws in that regard 

 can be improved; with a view to its publication and general dissemination. The 

 change of a system so old as our present one cannot be made at once, and should not 

 be made until a better one is presented to take its place. 



It has been suggested, and I am told the suggestion has taken practical form in 

 ^om« States, that the highway districts should be made very much larger than at 

 present, and of size sufficient to justify the employment of a skilled road-maker to 

 take ciiarge of and devote his entire time to that business. The amount of taxes 

 that have been paid in Michigan for highway purposes certainly should have given 

 -us better results. Tlie fact that the tax continues, with no permanent improvement 

 in our iiighways, calls loudly for change. 



I recommend the appointment of a committee to be in attendance at our fairs as a 

 Teceptioii committee, wliose special duty it shall be to see that guests of the society 

 and those who visit us from other States or foreign countries ai-e properly cared for. 



The regulations of the society relative to the receiving of votes at the election of 

 officers have been construed to authorize the reception of votes by proxy. This is a 

 practice which might lead to great abuses. If our regulations in that respect are 

 doubtful, I recommend that they be so changed as to make it clear that at ever}"" 

 election every member voting must in person present the ballot. 



During the week of the fair the duties of the treasurer of the society are exceed- 

 ingly arduous, and greater than should be imposed upon any one man. J\Iy connec- 

 tion heretofore witii the Business Committee has, I believe, given mo opportunities 

 to speak intelligently concerning this subject. I believe that our treasurer has hon- 

 estly and intelligent!}' performed his duty. Some unfavorable criticism was indulged 

 in concerning him during our last fair, doubtless emanating from those who were not 

 aware of the real facts." But for the purpose of relieving him of a portion of the 

 labor heretofore cast upon him, and also for the purpose of furnishing more effectual 

 checks in the management of the financial business of the societj', 1 recommend that 

 the Finance Committee be instructed and empowered to take charge of the gates, 

 and to appoint gate-keepers, and to attend to the collection and counting of the 

 tickets received at the gates, thus leaving the treasurer free to devote his time to 

 the supervision of the selling of tickets and the care of the funds. 



I think it would be well to adopt a form for reports of viewing committees to be 

 printed in blank, to the end of promoting uniformity and completeness, and upon 

 these blanks should be jM-inted the regulations governing the committees. The use 

 of such blanks would probably lessen liabilit}' to mistakes and facilitate business in 

 the secretary's office. 



During the week of the fair the Executive Superintendents are constantly busy, 

 iind as their duties call them in different places, it is sometimes difficult for exhibi- 

 tors to readily find them. They often have occasion to communicate with each other 

 and with the secretary's office. I recommend that each Executive Superintendent 

 have a station conspicuously designated and one or more messengers assigned to his 

 use, so that when tiie superintendent is necessarily absent from the station a messen- 

 ger may be left to answer inquiries as to where he may be found; and may also carry 

 messages from him about the grounds, as may be found necessary. I believo this 



