490 statp: noAKD of agriculture. 



made it necessary for Mr. Sterliiij; to prepare 223 new stalls before the stock could 

 be made comfortable. All this trouble was borne by tlie exhibitors with the best of 

 feeliu;;, always saying, "do the best you can." I now recommend the positive clos- 

 in<j of the books for entries ten days previous to the Fair in Division A. 



The second jjoint is this: 1 believe the time has come when we should protect our 

 own breeders so far as cattle are concerned; because we now have a very numerous 

 class of small breeders that have started within the last few j-ears very choice herds, 

 and all in breedinnj condition; and here I want to remark, it is almost always the 

 case that the small breeders bring their cows to the fair giving milk, and their calves 

 ^vith them, as they should do, while the large breeders seldom do. In place of this 

 fat and barrenness is the condition of many of their animals, and we never hear of 

 them again after the ribbons are tied on. 



I would limit the regular breeding class to Michigan, because it is too great a loss 

 to risk the spoiling of a good herd of cattle by pampering them to compete with 

 professional showmen, as is always the case when they come from abroad. 



Allow me to call your attention to the wild way of judging cattle at our fairs, 

 which seems to be all guess work. This seems to demand a change. I would recom- 

 mend the following scale of points adopted by the New York State Agricultural So- 

 ciety. Alo, a book prepared by Mr. I. H. Butterfield, Jr., as a sample to be used by 

 the judges while scaling the cattle at the ring, with instructions for using. 



Keferred to committee on Rules, and committee on Premium List. 



Members were invited to discuss the subject of .exhibition of cattle. 



Mr. W. G. Dean, of Hanover, discnssed Jersey cattle. 



1^\ V. Smith, Superintendent of Horses, Division 13, submitted his report 



and made the following remarks : 



If the same grounds are used again important changes and additions will be neces- 

 sary to have it prudent or safe to make such an exhibition of the animals as will 

 enable the Viewing Committees to form a correct judgment. The Judge's stand and 

 the track in front will require such an enclosure as will keep all outside but the judges 

 and the animals to be judged, and the whole track will require such enclosure as will 

 keep out all animals but those under examination. 



l\eferred to Committee on Kales and Business Committee. 



A. F. AVood, Superintendent of Sheep, Division C, submitted his report and 



remarked : 



There can be no question but the interest in the mutton classes is growing, and 

 the demand for sheep suitable for London market is increasing. I see no reason why 

 these classes should not receive as much money and the same prizes as classes nine- 

 teen and twent}'. 



1 would suggest also a class of grade ewes of either long or middle wool, to corres- 

 pond with line wool grades. Class 24, Fat Sheep, the show was good. The whole 

 number of sheep shown was 475, against 482 in 1877. 



I would further report that the State Sheep Breeder's Association, held at Marshall 

 in December past, recommended a Sweepstakes prize in fine wools, for a Ram with 

 five of his get, also they claimed that there is not as much money paid for the inter- 

 est in this department as the other interests, in proportion to the real value, and 

 with a similar premium list of last j^ear tliey asked to have the premiums increased 

 to twelve hundred dollars, the amount being offered last year was eight hundred and 

 thirty-four. 



AMOS F. WOOD. 

 Superintendent. 



Ivcfcrrod to the Conunitte on rromium List. 



D. A. Blotlgett, Superintendent of Division 1), Swine, not present. 



T. D. Dewey, Sui)erintendeiit of Division E, l^oultry, submitted his report. 



Filed with Secretary. 



F. M. Manning, Superintendent of Division F, Agricultural Products, sub- 

 mitted his report. 



Kcferred to Business Couunittec and Committee on Premium List. 



The President announced the following Committees: 



To take action on tiie death of Col. Chas. Dickey, ex-President of tlie Soci- 

 ety, Messrs. Shoemaker, Beckwitli, and Baxter. 



