616 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



including interest upon surplus, bein<2: $23,G33. There has been paid out In premiums 

 and expenses during this time an aggregate of $22,491, being the full amount of all 

 premiums awarded, and the expenses of the several fairs, while we have now a surplus 

 of casli in the treasury free from all obligations of any kind of $1,142.30. 



The ninth annual convention of the State association of agricultural societies will 

 be held at Paw Paw. commencing Tuesday evening, February 7, 1882, It is expected 

 that all delegates will be entertained by the citizens of Paw Paw free of expense. I 

 would recommend that the usual number of delegates be sent from this society. 



In conclusion, we can all express the sincere wish that, during all the years we have 

 devoted ourselves to the work of the society, we have not labored in vain; but that 

 some good may have been accomplished, and the material welfare of our fellow 

 citizens in some degree advanced through these exertions. 



Respectfully submitted, 



FRANK LITTLE, 

 Secretary Kalamazoo County Agricultural Society. 

 Kalamazoo, Jan. 7, 1882. 



The report of the secretary as above, was unanimously adopted. 



The question of purchasing fair grounds was raised informally, a lengthy 

 discussion ensued. Kemarks were made by Mr. W. H. Cobb, B. Vosburg, A. 

 W. Ingerson, E. K. Miller, Geo. Torrey, J. N. Stearns, Alex. Cameron, 

 Frank Little and others. 



The majority sentiment of the speakers indicated that a movement to be 

 successful in securing means to purchase grounds, must originate with the 

 citizens of Kalamazoo village. A few favored another submission to the peo- 

 ple, under the act. No formal action was taken. 



The society then proceeded to the election of ofldcers. For president, Mr. 

 W. Curtis received the unanimous vote, oO, but positively declined a reelection. 

 Mr. Curtis was finally excused, and the society, after experiencing some diffi- 

 culty in obtaining consent, finally made choice of the following officers: 



Chas. E. Morrison, of Pavilion, president; Frank Little, secretary; J. B. 

 Cobb, treasurer. The following were elected as members of the executive 

 committee : Orrin Snow, Willis Judson, A. W. Ingerson, Dan K. Rix. 



Adjourned. 



VAN BUREN COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



The thirty-first Annual Fair of the Van Buren County Agricultural Society 

 was held at Paw Paw, on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, Octo- 

 ber 4, 5, 6, and 7, 1881. The weather was unpropitious — being very rainy 

 and cold Monday and Tuesday and the greater part of Wednesday. Notwith- 

 standing this, about the usual number of entries were made, and the exhibits 

 compared favorably with those of former years — in some departments being 

 far superior. 



The Board of Directors for seven years past have been experimenting some- 

 what in attractions other than agricultural. In 1878 Henry Ward Beecher 

 was hired to deliver an address at an expense of $500. The receipts that year 

 were larger than ever before in the history of the Society, and $500 was paid 

 an the indebtedness of the Society. 



In 1879 ''Brick" Pomcroy was hired at an expense of $100. The receipts 

 fell short of the Beecher year about $900. In 1880 it was decided to have no 

 speaker; the premium list was largely increased, and a purely Agricultural 



