REPORTS FROM COUNTY SOCIETIES. 575 



On motion of E. G. Baird, a vote of thanks was tendered to the Secretary 

 for his able report, and for his strenuous efforts to collect statistics from agri- 

 cultural societies. 



Committees Appointed. 



The following committees were appointed: 



Order of Business— Frank Little, C. L. Whitney, R. G. Baird, G. S. Woolsey, C. H. 

 Richmond. 



Preparation of blanks for statistics— Frank Little, A. M. Tinker, S. B. Mann, D. D. 

 Antes, L. B. Potter. 



Legislation— D. AVoodman. M. B. Hines, J. J. Robinson. 



Perfecting organization of association— C. L. Whitney, G. W. Briggs. James F. 

 Higbee. 



Morning Session, TJmrsday, January 16, 



Convention opened at 10 A. M. in the new capitol — Pioneer Society rooms. 

 R. G. Baird, secretary of the State Board of Agriculture, as previously 

 arranged, addressed the meeting. 



SECRETARY BAIRD' S ADDRESS. 



President and members of the Association : 



In the circular issued for this meeting I find the following announcement: 

 "Approved methods in conducting fairs; premiums; wholesome rules and regula- 

 tions; and how best to aid in developing and stimulating the farming interests of 

 Michigan, will be the main topics for discussion." As I had no definite knowledge 

 of what it was expected I should set forth in this address, I concluded that any sug- 

 gestions in the line of what is indicated in the above would be pertinent to the 

 occasion. So I have chosen as the subject of my remarks: Agricultural societies — 

 what they are doing, and what can we reasonably expect them to do for the agri- 

 culture of our state. 



Nearly all the great achievements ot mankind testify to the importance ot organi- 

 zation. There are many things that cannot be accomplished by unaided individual 

 enterprise, but everything within the limits of what is possible to human power 

 may be accomplished by organization and combination. This is as true and as prac- 

 ticable in regard to agriculture as anything else. The purpose of organization 

 among larmers, no matter what form the organization may take, whether it be that 

 of a grange, a farmer's club or an agricultural society, is to elicit information — to 

 excite interest, and to develop important facts. The holding of fairs is one of the 

 means of doing this. A danger, however, lies in the tendency to regard the fair as 

 In itself an end rather than as a means, and the eflbrt put forth almost wholly to 

 make it a financial success, is too narrow in its aim. As the success of a school can- 

 not be measured by the number in attendance, but by the quantity and quality of 

 the teaching actually done, so the most successful fair is that at which the visitors 

 can learn the most. 



That county agricultural societies largely through their annual fairs have exerted 

 a highly beneficial influence in the progress of farming is evident from the fact that 

 agricultural progress might almost be said to date from the establishment of such 

 organizations. The first Shorthorn bull that I ever saw, and that was wlien I was a 

 boy, was purchased and brought into the country where I then lived by the local 

 agricultural societj', and with that purchase the improvement of stock commenced 

 which has been there going on ever since. I do not think that the society referred 

 to ever owned another animal of that kind. The improvement of stock soon became 

 a matter of individual enterprise; but not only was it originated by the society, 

 but it was subsequently fostered, rendered more profitable and general, by the pub- 

 licit}'' which was given to the results attained by means of the society's annual 

 exhibitions. I presume that in very many counties the improvement In cattle, 

 horses, sheep, hogs, poultry, fruits and cereals has had a somewhat similar history, 

 and who can reckon tlie amount of money that has come into the hands of farmers 



