MICHIGAN STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 419 



The sale of ineuibei-sliii) tickets shows a decrease aud the piemiuui 

 list advertising an increase. 



The disbursements show an increase of about thirteen thousand dol- 

 lars. 



Twenty-five thousand dollars was paid in premiums as against twenty- 

 two thousand dollars in 1906. 



Ten thousand dollars less was spent for free attractions than in 

 11)06. 



Eight thousand four hundred dollars was spent for advertising of 

 every description as against seven thousand dollars in 1906. 



Four thousand dollars more was spent for interest on 1906 improve- 

 ment notes. 



Eighteen thousand dollars was expended in improvements in 1907. 



The net profits for 1907 fair amount to approximately twenty-seven 

 thousand dollars. 



The decrease in gate receipts was due to one day of unfavorable 

 weather and closing grounds on Sunday. 



I believe that our action as to Sunday closing was well taken, still 

 experience has shown that a very large number of excursionists and 

 local people who have no other diversions, desire that they be per- 

 mitted to visit the grounds Sunday. With the closing of all business 

 and amusement attractions, I believe that the best interests of all con- 

 cerned would be served by opening the grounds Sunday for those who 

 desire the opportunity of visiting the grounds in the same manner that 

 our city parks or Belle Isle might be visited, and I recommend this action 

 to your board. 



The first recommendation I have to make is in connection with 

 the finances. The association has outstanding, in addition to its one 

 hundred thousand dollar first mortgage bonds, eighty-tw^o thousand 

 dollars in miscellaneous notes which come due at various times and 

 being payable to several parties, furnish a constant source of annoyance 

 and inconvenience. Our records show that we have now an investment of 

 over four hundred thousand dollars. The first mortgage covering this 

 property amounts to one hundred thousand dollars, and the second 

 mortgage is for one hundred thousand dollars more. The second mort- 

 gage bonds are not desirable. I would recommend that as soon as 

 money conditions improve, a new first mortgage be executed for two 

 hundred thousand dollars. The first mortgage bond holders could be 

 satisfied, the floating indebtedness of the society be entirely wiped out 

 and at Ihe same time leave a balance to make some very necessary 

 improvements. 



The duties of treasurer have been greatly increased under the pres- 

 ent plan, and I would recommend that he be authorized to ajjpoint an 

 assistant with authority to sign checks, and do the necessary clerical 

 work in connection with his ofiice; a man who would be in Detroit so 

 as to be in close touch with the business ottice of the fair. 



Among the improvements which were made (his year were a water 

 supj)ly tank, fire engine house iuul a new electric light transformer 

 station. In addition to this, un<ler Ihe able supervision of Superintend- 

 ent Fifield, our mile track lias been made one of the fastest and best 

 in the country. 



Splendid improvements have been made in the grounds under the 



