REPORTS FROM COUNTY SOCJIETIES. 573 



But, gentlemen, I a,2;ain urge upon you tlie importance of stimulating by your sug- 

 gestions only that which is purely agricultural or mechanical. There are influences 

 Avhich come before you each year, clamoring for recognition that will, in the end, as 

 surely destroy j-our prosperity as a cancer virus in the blood will destroy its victim. 

 The best representation of agriculture the world has yet seen cannot afibrd to so 

 formulate its government that vice may enter and become protected; that low forms 

 of excitement may become popularized to corrupt its young men; but so regulate 

 your fairs that thoj' may become exponents of the higliest tj'pe of agriculture, — 

 a lesson to learners and the pride of your public. 



secketary's EEPORT. 



Frank Little, of Kalamazoo, Secretary of the Association, then made the 

 following report : 



Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Convention : 



It has been my i)urpose, at the opening of the State Association of Agricultural 

 Societies of Michigan, to present to the Convention, as an important and prominent 

 feature of my report, a tabular statement, embracing certain statistics in regard to 

 the several Agricultural Societies of the State, arranged in the following order: 



1st. List of all the societies of the State. 



2d. Location of the various fairs. 



3d. Whole number of members. 



4th. Total receipts of each society for the past year. 



5th. Total amount oftered in prizes by each. 



6th. Total amount awarded in prizes by each. 



7th. Total of contingent expenses other than prizes. 



Sth. Total value of property owned by each societ}-. 



In the call issued to the various societies under date of December 7, 1S7S, notifying 

 them of this convention, and of the importance of sending one or more delegates to 

 participate in its deliberations, there was appended a statistical circular, soliciting 

 answers to the various questions as heretofore enumerated. 



I regret to say, that a large number of the societies of the State, have not as yet 

 responded to the request to forward promptly such statistics, and that in consequence 

 of this neglect, my report in the direction indicated will be very incomplete. 



From a carefully prepared list submitted at the last convention at Marshall, and 

 from the best information upon the subject to be derived, we find that there are fifty- 

 three associations, agricultural, horticultural and mechanical in the State, holding 

 annual fairs; twenty-two societies that give no public exhibitions, but that hold 

 stated meetings for the discussion of agricultural topics, making a grand total of sev- 

 enty-five organizations, designed expresslj- for the encouragement and promotion of 

 agriculture. 



Who can estimate the weight of influence they exert, and the benefits that have 

 accrued to the farming interests of ilichigan, through the direct agency and work of 

 these societies? 



Are they not emphatically, in the fullest sense possible, organizations of the people 

 and for the people ? 



Do they not reach into, and infuse with new energy and awakened desires, theveiy 

 soul and substance of agricultural life? 



Their influence is felt in the field, the garden, the orchard and the household. Am- 

 bitions are aroused; all branches of farm industry are stimulated upward and onward 

 in the grand march of human progress, towards a nobler and higher type of civiliza- 

 tion and intelligence. 



These societies also encourage fine arts, manufactui-es, inventions, commerce and 

 scientific research. In every way possible their aim is, to develop thought, to pro- 

 mote investigation, aid experimental tests, and enlarge the capacities of the people. 



The annual fairs bring together in friendly relationship and closer fellowship, the 

 rural population of the communitj'. State and nation. Where all have an identity of 

 purpose, they seek to unite as in one great brotherhood the whole family of man. 



Old friendships are here renewed, new acquaintances are formed, and the whole so- 

 cial fabric of rural life becomes thoroughly renovated and awakened. 



As mediums or occasions for the free Interchange of views and experiences; for 

 the rapid dissemination of advanced ideas and new processes in farming; for bring- 

 ing to light the achievements of the year, they are invaluable. 



While these organizations, as grand conservators and promoters of public interests 

 are laboring assiduously and disinterestedly, year by year; while the good they 



