454 STATE BOARD OP AGRICULTURE. 



It was moved and supported that a committee to receive reports of snperin- 

 tendents and assign the same to standing committees be appointed. Carried. 



The report of Mr. Butterfield was then accepted and referred to proper com- 

 mittee. 



Mr. Cobb, Superintendent of Division B, asked aiid was granted further time 

 to make his report. 



Mr. Lessiter, Superintendent of Division D, offered the following, which was 

 accepted and referred : 

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



In class D (swine), the show was a good one, both as regards quantity and quality, 

 there being 170 entries. The number of entries in each class was as follows: Berk- 

 shire, 31 ; Essex, 49; Suffolk, 27; Poland China, 22; Chester White, 25; Fat Hogs, 11, 

 and Jersey Reds, 5. The last breed, not being classed, was awarded a discretionary 

 premium, as it was claimed by some that professed to know, that they were good 

 specimens of the breed. 



1 would recommend that the Society be liberal in the premiums offered in the Swine 

 Department, as the Society has no fodder to furnish, and it is attended with, to the 

 exhibitor, a great deal of hard, laborious work to get his exhibits to and from the 

 Fair. 



All of wliich is respectfully submitted. 



JOHN LESSITER, 



Superintendent. 



Mr. Wood, Superintendent of Division 0, reported as follows: 



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



In Division O, class 64 (miscellaneous), there were twenty-six entries made, and $72 

 awarded. Some articles were entered that did not properly belong to the depart- 

 ment, and perhaps others should have been entered that were not. The building and 

 grounds allotted were ample, and not being all needed, it was assigned to exhibits 

 from other departments, so that the building was well filled. 



As land drainage by means of sewer pipe and tile is demanding special attention, 

 and no one thing, perhaps, is making so great an improvement in our State, for the 

 capital invested, 1 would suggest that prizes be offered so as to draw out a good display 

 of draining apparatus, thereby bringing the manufacturers and public together for 

 general information and improvement. I think there might be prizes offered on 

 some more articles instead of leaving awards to be recommended by the committee. 



Respectfully submitted, 



AMOS F. WOOD, 

 Superintendent of Miscellaneous Department. 



Accepted and referred. 



Miss Minnie H. Brow, Superintendent of Divisions N and P, reported as 

 follows : 

 Gentlemen oi the State Agricultural Society: 



In making my report for the year 1881 , 1 would call your attention to the very large 

 and full exhibition made in Divisions N and P. This fact was very gratifying to me, 

 as I had anticipated a more meagre display. In Division N the general richness and 

 elegance of the articles, together with those of minor worth, made a difficult task 

 for the various committees; but the ladies who served on these committees were 

 prompt, energetic, and obliging. They were kind enough to use great dispatch in 

 their work, thus enabling me to make my returns and reports to the Secretary at an 

 early day. 



The children's department was a gratifying success, both in quality and quantity 

 of articles. The plan suggested at the last annual meeting of the Society, and 

 adopted at the Fair of ISSl, consisted of awarding entirely discretionary premiums, 

 as the great varietj' of articles made it quite impossible to establish any permanent 

 or stated list. This plan gave very general satisfaction to exhibitors. I wish to 

 thank the gentlemen for favors and kindness shown to me during the week of the 

 Fair. 1 can assure you that your efforts were all fully appreciated. 



There are no particular improvements to be suggested that I can see, with the 

 exception of a slight addition to the premium list in class 62. This, however, is not 

 of sufficient importance to warrant any change, unless there should be other altera- 



