586 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



EATON COUNTY. 



To the Secretary oj the State Board of Agriculture : 



On making a report of the doings of the Eaton County Agricultural Society 

 for the year 1878 I hardly know where to begin, inasmuch as no previous re- 

 port of record has ever been made to the State Agricultural Society of its 

 doings in former years. I will therefore, before proceeding with the report 

 for the current year, give a brief outline of its organization and history up to 

 the 31st of December, A. D. 1S?7: 



On the 3d day of January, A. D. 1855, pursuant to notice, a meeting of 

 citizens of the county met at the court-house in the village of Charlotte for 

 the purpose of organizing a county agricultural society. Willard Davis, of 

 Yermoutville, was elected chairman of the meeting and L. H. Ion, of Char- 

 lotte, secretary. 



A resolution was adopted to organize the Eaton County Agricultural Society, 

 whereupon a committee of three, consisting of Harvey Williams, J. C. Spencer, 

 and L. H. Ion was appointed to draft a constitution and by-laws for tlie society 

 and then adjourned to meet February 12th following. 



Pursuant to adjournment a meeting was held, the committee reported and 

 the report was accepted and adopted. 



The first officers of the society (who were elected at this meeting) were W. 

 U. Benedict, of Yermontville, President; L. II. Ion, of Charlotte, Secretary, 

 and Ilarvey Williams, of Charlotte, Treasurer. 



The first fair was held in the village of Charlotte Oct. 11th and 12th, A. D. 

 1855, the citizens of the village furnishing the grounds, buildings and fences 

 the first year free of cost to the Society. The total amount of premiums 

 awarded v/as $194. 



In May the following year the Society purchased eight acres of ground at a 

 cost of seven hundred dollars, which was enclosed with a suitable fence, and 

 buildings for the accommodation of exhibitors erected. The cost of buildings 

 and fence does not appear on the records. Amount of premiums awarded for 

 the year 1856 were $230.25. 



Annual fairs have been held every year since with increasing success, show- 

 ing by the increasing number and quality of articles and animals exhibited tlie 

 interest taken by farmers and mechanics in the success of the society, and its 

 influence in encouraging and developing the agricultural resources of the 

 county. 



In the year 1808 it became apparent that the needs of the society demanded 

 more room, whereupon the necessary arrangements were made to sell the old 

 grounds and purchase others and in a more suitable location. The old grounds 

 were sold on the 19th day of June, A. D. 1869, for $3,000 and the new, con- 

 taining thirty-five acres, were purchased at a cost of $3,875, upon which there 

 have been expended in a half mile track, buildings and fences about $5,500. 



The new grounds arc located in the south part of the late village (now city) 

 of Charlotte, well planned and laid out with walks and drive-ways to and 

 througli a splendid natural grove of about ton acres, wliicli occupies the 

 eastern portion of the grounds, and through wiiich runs Battle creek, supply- 

 ing water for all. 



At the time the new grounds were purchased the society assumed obligations 



