590 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



It is a notable fact that the majority of our farmers in this county have taken 

 but little interest in the breeding of well-bred horses. There is not in this 

 county one pair of closely matclied, good sized carriage horses that would 

 attract any notice whatever in any market. The same can be said of draft 

 horses, which should be bred extensively in this county, as a large revenue 

 might be realized from this source, in supplying tlie demand for this class of 

 horses for the lumbering districts, and we earnestly hope that our farmers will 

 hereafter give the matter of breeding horses the attention it seems to merit. 

 There Avas more or less criticising or condemning the judgment of awarding 

 committees in this department. To this class let us say, that Viewing Com- 

 mittees maybe partial, and may err in their judgment, and the Society be con- 

 demned in consequence. Notwithstanding it is and has ever been the aim of 

 the Society to select judges who would be impartial in their verdict, and if 

 those selected would present themselves, the Society thereby becoming relieved 

 from selecting judges from among the visitors, undoubtedly more satisfaction 

 would be given. 



SHEEP. 



We believe it has become a settled fact that the most profitable variety for 

 sheep husbandry in this country are the thoroughbred and grade Merinos; 

 they are the principal race of well bred sheep in the United States to-day, 

 the wool being in greater demand, and at a larger price. They will thrive 

 better u}X)n the same number of acres or require less sustenance than the 

 Leicesters or Cotswolds. Large numbers of Merino stock rams have been 

 shipped to Colorado by some of our principal breeders in this county. The 

 principal exhibitors in this county were D. P. Dewey, 0. C. Beals, Henry 

 Tyler, 11. F. Hill, and J. H. Tiiompson. In Southdowns, Thomas Foster and 

 Sumner Howard ; in Leicesters and Cotswolds, L. H. Roberts. Messrs. Beals, 

 Dewey and Hill also exhibited some Delaine sheep. 



SWINE. 



The exhibition of Poland-Chinas and Berkshires were numerous and very 

 fine. Much credit can be given the breeders for the improvement they liave 

 made in this class. The exhibitors were A. W. Alger of Mundy, Thomas 

 Foster of Burton, Harvey Noble of Flint, Wm. H. Smith of Richfield, 

 Adelbert Schram of Burton, Orlo Danser of Flint, C. L. Barnhart of Flint, 

 Thomas Shaw of Grand Blanc, and G. M. Curtis of Flint. 



rOULTRY. 



Notwithstanding the fact that it is an unfavorable season for the show of 

 poultry, there was a very fine exhibition. The exhibits were large and meri- 

 torious. There was also a fine exhibition of minor pets. 



FRUITS. 



It is with great pleasure that we are able to announce a very extraordinary 

 fine exhibition in this department as regards quantity and quality. Our dis- 

 play ill this class, we tliink, would compare favorably with that of our State 

 Fair, which is evidence that Genesee County is not only adapted for this 

 variety, but is not behind in the productions of the choicest varieties. 



The exhibition of butter, cheese, canned fruit, etc., were, as usual, large and 

 very fine. 



A very fine exhibition of cassinieres and flannels was made by Messrs. Stone, 



