874 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



There are also bonds of $10,000 due in 1917, 1918 and 1919, and $205,000 May 

 1st, 1920. I take pleasure in reporting to you that this Society at the present 

 time, has no floating indebtedness, and it will not be necessary to borrow any 

 money this year. 



Insurance: 



The buildings have been insured this year at a cost of $1,952.38, which is 

 a reduction over 1914 of $297.62, with practically the same amount of insurance 

 carried. We also carry Employes' Liability Insurance with the Casualty Com- 

 pany of America, at a cost of $82.40. 



AutomoMle Races: 



On Decoration Day and the day following. May 30th and 31st, I arranged for 

 Automobile Races. The net receipts to this Society from these races amounted 

 to $2,430.85. 



On Sunday, October 17th, I arranged for Ford Auto Races, the net receipts 

 from which amounted to $1,436.12. 



The Interstate Racing Association of Toledo, Ohio, leased the track for Motor- 

 cycle Races on Sunday, June 13th, 1915, for which they paid $500. I again 

 rented the track to the same Association for Motorcycle races on Sunday, Sep- 

 tember 19th, 1915, for $300, as it was very evident that the Racing Association 

 lost money at the first meet. The total net receipts for the four meets amounted 

 to $4,666.97, a detailed statement of which is Included in the Auditor's report. 



Our Society saved on account of securing their sanctions from the International 

 Motor Contest Association, the new racing association, rather than from the 

 American Automobile Association, which black-listed us in 1914, $250.00 on the 

 five days auto races. "We also had automobile races two days and nights the 

 last week of the Fair, which brought out large crowds and paid us well. 



Buildings: 



The rental of buildings for storage purposes in 1915 amounted to $2,724.55. 

 The total receipts for rental of buildings and race track during the year amounted 

 to $6,994.63, which together with amount received from the automobile races 

 makes a total of $13,766.08, being all the receipts outside of those pertaining 

 to the Fair. 



STATE EXHIBITS. 



Fish Exhibit: 



On August 4th, a meeting was called with the Michigan State Fish Commis- 

 sion for the purpose of securing an exhibit at the 1915 Fair, and after consider- 

 able discussion the Commission unanimously decided to make an exhibit. The 

 same was placed under the Grand Stand and I believe the number of people 

 who visited it and the interest manifested that it was a splendid attraction and 

 a great benefit to the Fair, the Fish Commission and the fish industry generally, 

 as it enabled the people about the State to see the different varieties which in- 

 habit Michigan waters. 



Jackson Prison Exhibit: 



On July 10th I took up the question with Warden Simpson of the Michigan 

 State Prison at Jackson, of making an exhibit at the Fair and found him ready 

 and willing to co-operate with us. As we had no place inside to conveniently 

 locate this exhibit, it was decided to use a tent, which was placed north of the 

 Horticultural Building where all Fair visitors were enabled to see the products 

 of one of Michigan's State Prisons, which proved very interesting. 



Dairy and Food: 



The Dairy and Food Department gave us an exhibit in the Dairy Building, 

 which was very creditable. 



