206 MICHIGAN STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



amount of premiums. There were 524 entries, nearly double the number the year before^ 



yet not as much money paid. 



I would recommend naming the Standard varieties of wheat instead of White and 



Red Wheat ; also of oats, and perhaps change some of the varieties of potatoes, as some 



are going out of date and new ones taking their places. 



A. F. WOOD. 



Superintendeyit. 



Report accepted and referred to Committee on Premiums. 



The report on Bees and Honey was read by the Secretary, as follows: 



DrviSION H— BEES AND HONEY. 



To the President and Executive Committee of the Michigan State Agricidtural Society : 

 In Division H, Class 42, there was a good show of bees, honey and machinery neces- 

 sary for properly conducting the various operations of a well regulated apiary. There 

 were 120 entries in the division and $296 awarded in premiums. The exhibition was 

 tastefully arranged and attracted the admiration of a large crowd of visitors each day 

 of the Fair, There is manifestly a growing interest in the business of bee-keeping. 

 The subject is an important one and worthy of the best thought and encouragement of 

 this S^ociety. In order to arriye at a correct conclusion of this important industry, I 

 quote an extract of the report of the statistician of the northwestern Society of Bee- 

 keepers for 1884 : " Not more than 8 or 10 per cent of those favorably situated for the 

 cultivation of bees are engaged in the pursuit. If even one-half of those favorably 

 situated were so engaged, the annual product would not fall below $75,000,000 or 

 $80,000,000 in value." It seems to me from the above quotation that the important 

 interest of bee-keeping is yet to be developed. If the State Agricultural Society could 

 offer some inducements to encourage beginners to make exhibits at the Fair it would 

 be a step in the right direction. There is some diffidence on the part of beginners in 

 competing with the old estabhshed bee-keepers, who go prepared to take all the prizes. 

 I would recommeftd that the Society offer a few premiums for the best exhibits of 

 parties who have been in the business for not more than two years. I would further 

 recommend that the building to be used for exhibition be covered with shingles or some 

 other water-proof material. There was considerable damage done to property on exhi- 

 bition last year on account of the roof leaking badly. I should feel remiss in my duty 

 if I did not make favorable mention of the very interesting and instructive display of 

 honey-producing plants and flowers exhibited by the State Agricultural College ; also 

 samples of honey made from different plants. I also feel under obligations to Messrs. 

 Cutting and Hutchinson for their valuable aid, suggestions and assistance in the 

 an-angement and management of the department. I expended in the department for 



the services of judge, $3.00. 



M. J. GARD, 



Superinteyident. 

 The report on Vehicles was presented by Supt. F. L. Reed. 



DIVISION J — VEHICLES. 



To the President and Executive Committee of the Michigan State Agricultural Society : 

 At the last annual Fair held in Jackson there were 238 entries in Division J, Vehicles, 

 According to the rules for this division, no premiums were awarded, and no viewing 



Committee was appointed. Your Superintendent would mention as worthy of especial 



