314 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



From the above items it will be found that the non-enumerated articles 

 form a small exhibit of themselves:. I would therefore suggest an entire 

 revision of the needle work department. I have carefully looked over 

 the list of non-enumerated articles entered — kindly furnished me by Secre- 

 tary Butterfleld — also have compared your list with the premium lists of 

 other state fair associations and from these have compiled a new list 

 which I would recommend for the consideration of your premium list 

 committee. 



Kespectfully, 



MRS. F. E. SKEELS. 



Superintendent. 



REPORT OF THE ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF THE HORTI- 

 CULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Mr. President and Officers of the Michigan State Agricultural Society: 



I beg to submit my second report before your august body, and if 

 brevity has been a prevailing custom I hope that you will pardon me if 

 I step beyond bounds. 



At the outset I wish to say Michigan never placed before the patrons 

 of her State fair a better display of fruit than was displayed under the 

 direction of your honorable superintendent of horticulture, George H. 

 German in 1902. Perhaps as large collections have been displaj-ed, but I 

 speak from the standpoint of quality as well as quantity. The floral dis- 

 play was deficient owing to several reasons. There were of apples 1,273 

 plates ; peaches 646 ; pears. 383 ; plums, 406 ; grapes, 215 ; crab apples, 64 ; 

 quince, 15 ; a total of 3.002 : three of cranberry ; 1 of blackberry, and one 

 of English Walnut. 



For list of entries, and amounts awarded in the several classes, see the 

 report of the secretary. 



By .solicitation I have secured several special premiums to be added to 

 the list for 1903 among which are the following: Fifty fruit trees from 

 Greening Bros, nursery for the best fifty plates of fruits grown on trees 

 purchased from them. The same ofifer I have from Ilgenfritz Bros. The 

 Central Michigan Nursery, of Kalamazoo, and the West Michigan Nursery 

 of Benton Harbor. I also have an offer of |100 from the Armour Fertil- 

 izer Works for the best display of fruit aided in the growth by the use of 

 their fertilizers. I also liave several minor premiums including spray- 

 pumps, ladders, etc., which I hope to complete. 



While I would not recommend the asking of more liberal premiums at 

 this time, yet I do believe that the department should be entitled to the 

 use of the money offered, and that some radical changes should be made 

 in its distribution which will greatly help in the betterment of the 

 displays. 



The fruit industry brings into the hands of Michigan farmers enormous 

 sums of money and its prominence is bound to be recognized, and the 

 growers encouraged so that the banner of Michigan fruits shall hold its 

 place in the front ranks. I coincide with the idea of encouragement all 



