MICHIGAN^ STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 421 



be made much more attractive by featuring some of tlie exhibits. 

 Manual training is receiving more attention throughout the country, 

 and I believe that if we go into this end of school work, offering com- 

 petition between the different schools of the state, it will prove very 

 successful. 



Upon a careful investigation it has been found that a pet stock 

 show could be arranged in connection with the fair. In this show, dogs 

 could be exhibited on one or two days ; cats and other pet stock during 

 the balance of the week. It would be much better of course to have 

 a building for this kind of a show, but a tent could be used temporarily. 

 If this were done an admission fee should be charged which would 

 more than defray the expense incidentals. If this meets with your 

 approval, the premium committee should be instructed to provide for 

 proper awards. The National associations of the various classes would 

 willingly send their cups to our fair. 



There should be a distinction in the live stock departments between 

 stock which is brought to the fair purely for sale purposes and that 

 which is sent here to compete for premiums. It would hardly be well 

 to try to eliminate the selling and buying of stock on the grounds, 

 still provision should be made for this end, on account of the overcrowded 

 condition of the exhibit buildings. 



Your attention is called to the fact that while our fair has grown 

 wonderfully, its scope broadened, its convenience increased and simpli- 

 fied, and the attendance greatly increased, yet the stall and pen rents 

 remain the same. Where we charge but fifty cents, other associations 

 charge one dollar, and where we get but two dollars for a box stall, 

 others get three dollars. 



If our fair association is to make a good financial shoAving, w^e must 

 not forget to carefully watch its sources of revenue. At the same 

 time we must be careful not to drive our exhibitors away. I would 

 recommend that we make an advance in these fees. 



At the last fair we incurred an expense of thirteen hundred dol- 

 lars in the forage department for straw which was distributed ''free" 

 to stockmen. Other fairs charge the actual cost for the straw fur- 

 nished and I believe that we should do the same and save quite an 

 amount. 



My attention has been called by the report of the superintendent 

 of cattle department, relative to having two classes for cattle, sheep 

 and swine in the premium list open to all classes and Michigan class. 



The latter was, I understand, established in 1901, in the effort to 

 fulfil the conditions of the legislative act making an appropriation 

 for the payment of ])remiums on live stock and exhibits owned or pro- 

 duced in the state. 



It was also contended (hat our herds and flocks could not compete 

 with those from other states, esDecially with the large herds that 

 wealthy stockholders should be able to fit for show purposes. 



I believe the time has come when we can safely nmke but one class. 

 by enlarging the premiums and extending them to fourth or even fifth 

 jn*emiums in classes having strong competition, and inserting senior 

 and junior classes for the younger animals. 



I think we could comply with the terms of the appropriation act 



