MICHIGAX STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 543 



duct shall determine the award. The best may and probably will be found in ttie line 

 of pnre-bred stock, but performance is the test for profit, and the real, true end to be 

 sought in cattle breeding, and Vv'hich agricultural societies should encourage. 



I think it entirely proper that this Board take some action in reference to the 

 suppression of contagious diseases among cattle. It would seem by the delay of Con- 

 gress to act, that it is necessary to keep the question before the people till our leg- 

 islatures shall be forced to do something for the protection of the cattle interest. ° 



I. H. BUTTERFIELD, Jr., 

 Superintendent Cattle. 



Eeport accepted and referred to Comruittee on Premium List. 



Mr. W. H. Cobb, Superintendent of Horses, Division B, reported as follows: 



DIVISION B— HORSES. 



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



The Superintendent of Division B, would respectfully submit the following report: 



The entries Class 12, Thoroughbreds, were S9; in Class 13, Horses of all work. 114; 

 in Class 14, Roadsters, 47; in Class 15, Breeders' Stock, 72; in Class 16, Gents' Drivino" 

 Horses, to Road Wagon, 32; in Class 17, Draught Horses, 40; in Class IS, Carriage 

 and Buggy Horses (geldings or mares), 35; in Class 19, Premium forMichigau Horse's, 

 Roadsters and Thoroughbreds, 25; in Class 20, Premium for Michigan Horses, Mares, 

 and Geldings, 53; in Class 20^, Michigan Horses (thoroughbred stallions, mares and 

 geldings), 14; in Class 21, Sweepstakes, for Stallions with six Colts of his own get, 

 11; making a total of 532 entries. A large proportion of the horses entered were 

 very fine ones and was an honor to the exhibitors. The amount of premiums 

 awarded in this department was §2,829; tiie amount of the premium list, was $3,573. 

 As far as the Superintendent was able to learn, the exhibitors were well satisfied with 

 the amount of premiums awarded in each class, and all were satisfied except in two 

 instances, where protests were made, whicli will be reported upon in their order of 

 business. 



There are many things pertaining to the Horse Department that cannot be under- 

 stood except by actual experience. Where so many exhibitors come together, all 

 anxious to get first premium, some are sure to be disappointed. Every one cannot 

 get the stalls thej' want, or the stalls are not so large as they would like; but the 

 Superintendent is expected to widen or lengthen the stalls to suit each exhibitor 

 (which is generally done). The grounds were in the usual good order; also the track. 



The Superindent wishes to thank the gentlemen who acted as judges at the last 

 Fair for their patient and careful labor; knowing them to be well qualified to dis- 

 charge the duties involved upon them. The difl[iculty in obtaining thoroughly com- 

 petent men to serve on these Committees is yearly becoming more diflicult. Very 

 few competent persons are willing to give their time for a whole week without pay. 



The Superintendent has no changes to recommend in the premium list. 



All of which is respectfully submitted. 



W. H. COBB, 

 Superinteyident. 



Report, on motion, accepted, and referred to the committee on premiums. 



It was voted that all reports of superintendents of departtnents be referred 

 to Committee on Premiums, without further action. 



Mr. D. W. Howard, Superintendent of Sheep, Division C, reported as 

 follows : 



DIVISION C— SHEEP. 



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



I respectfully present report of the exhibition in Division C, at the Annual Fair of 

 1882: 



The total number of entries In this division was 503. The exhibit was above the 

 average, both in numbers and quality, and was creditable to the sheep breeders of 

 the State. 



The total premiums offered in this division were $1,184; amount awarded was 

 $1,152, as follows: 



Class 22, entries 208, premiums otTered $349, awarded $349; Class 23, entries 27, pre- 

 miums offered $91, awarded $86; Class 24, entries 35, premiums offered $152, awarded 

 $152; Class 25, entries 101, premiums offered $152, awarded $152; Class 26, entries 34, 

 premiums offered $152, awarded, $147; (Jlass 27, entries 51, premiums offered $152, 



