MICHIGAN STATE AGRICULTUIiAL SOCIETY. 547 



DIVISION n— CLASS 3S— BEES AND HONEY. 



For the first time at an annual fair, separate provision was made for the display of 

 bees and honey. The interest manifested and tlie display made were such as to 

 show the wisdom of the experiment and justify its continuance. 



Tlie premiums offered were $115. The number of entries, 47. The premiums 

 awarded amounted in the aggregate to $92. 



The building was most of the time thronged with interested spectators, and much 

 valuable information was imparted on the keeping and management of bees, securing 

 perfect forms of comb honey for table use, and extracting honey for preservation use. 



The premiums offered were small, insufficient in most cases to pay the actual 

 expense of exhibitor, and yet there was a good exhibition and a generous rivalry. 



Owing to the fact of my absence from the State for some time prior to the fair, 

 judges had not been secured beforehand, and some difficulty was experienced in 

 securing them. This can be remedied at our next fair. While there are some in the 

 State who make bee culture and honey-raising a business, the number of such is com- 

 paratively small, but with a proper knowledge of the subject which may be easily 

 secured, almost any one with even a garden patch can keep a few swarms, and add 

 greatly to the comfort and luxury of his home. 



There are several different races of bees, each claiming peculiar merit, and it would 

 be well to encourage an exhibition of all these varieties by the offers of a sufficient 

 premium for the largest and best display of different varieties of working bees, to 

 secure exhibitors and competition. 



Again, queen bees of different races, always attract attention. Their value is 

 however too great to risk exhibition without the offer of a suitable premium. The 

 exhibition of bees in observation hives should be encouraged, as well as the exhibi- 

 tion of hives for ordinary use. 



It has been suggested bj" exhibitors that a premium of some value be offered for 

 the best device for exhibiting bees, which would, of necessity, include the handling 

 of them at the fair, and I heartily recommend the suggestion. 



Some exhibitors have also suggested competitive essays on bee keeping, the best 

 to be read at a stated time, at the exhibition building, would be a valuable feature. 

 If this should be adopted, the essays must be required to be in the hands of the 

 committee for examination as early as the 1st of September, that careful examina- 

 tion might be made, and the prize essay be handed over to a good reader, that it 

 might be so read as to be heard, understood, and appreciated. The essays should be 

 limited as to time, that well considered and condensed thought might be secured. 



A committee from the Bee Keepers' Association will be present and make some 

 suggestions to the Committee on Premium List, for whom I ask a favorable hearing. 

 This committee will urge that the privilege of making sales of honey, bees, hives, 

 etc., may be made from the stocks they bring daily, but not to the detriment of the 

 exhibit. If this can consistently be done, it would secure a very large display, and a 

 full attendance. I do not think it would be asking too much in consideration of the 

 ■ interest and growing importance of this industry to at least double the amount 

 offered at the last fair, and provide a separate building for the exhibition. 



Respectfully submitted, 



W. J. BAXTER, 



Superintendent. 



Mr. E. W. Kising, Superintendent of Forage, was given further time to 

 report. 



Superintendents of Gates were granted further time to report. 



Superintendents of Police were also granted further time to report. 



It was voted, on motion of Mr. Sterling, that the sessions of this Commit- 

 tee open at 9 o'clock A. M., and continue until 6 P. M., with the usual inter- 

 mission for dinner, and that no evening sessions be held until otherwise 

 ordered. 



Mr. Ball was excused from serving on the Committee on Farm Wagon 

 protest. 



The President appointed Mr. J. M. Sterling in his stead. 



Mr. Gilbert was, on motion, excused from serving on the same committee, 

 and Mr. A. 0. Hyde was substituted. 



On motion, the Committee adjourned until Tuesday morning at 9 o'clock. 



