MICHIGAN STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 431 



one on the state fair grounds at Springfield, 111., which is deemed the 

 best pony barn in the United States. Such a barn would readily fill, 

 and be the storm center of attraction of the entire fair. The stalls 

 being made low and small, the ponies would show to their best ad- 

 vantage, but while housed in such stalls as we now have in our show 

 barn, they are largely lost from view and the splendor that attaches 

 to a first class pony show is largely lost. Again I urge the immediate 

 construction of a ponv barn. 



I call your attention to another pressing need, which arises from the 

 fact that many horses are required to show in harness or under saddle, 

 yet we have no place whatever in which to store the harnesses, saddles 

 and paraphernalia required, unless we give up horses' stalls for the pur- 

 pose, which is not only contrary to the rules, but detracts largely from 

 the beauty of the barn. 



I had formerly urged that the class for coach horses be divided into 

 three separate classes, namely: one for the American coach; one for 

 the French, and one for the German. I had also urged that the classes 

 for Shires and Clydes be separated for the reason that the owners of 

 each regard his breed as a separate and distinct one, and nobody likes 

 to show one breed of horses against another. 



I also ask for a division of the Hackney Class, so that the Ponies 

 or small Hackneys may be in a class by themselves and not be obliged 

 to show against the large ones. 



Again I call your attention to something that seems to me worthy 

 of your consideration. I believe it desirable that the society should 

 offer substantial premiums to photographers who shall take views on 

 the grounds of animals and other exhibitions dui-ing the fairs; the 

 society to select therefrom such photographs as it may desire for use 

 in the next year's premium list, and also for free distribution to local 

 newspapers, agricultural and live stock papers, from day to day, to 

 the end that such papers may have on hand for use the best pictures 

 obtainable on the grounds. 



The judging of horses was done by a single judge, Dr. Donald G. 

 Southerland of Saginaw, and I believe it was done as satisfactorily as 

 it is ever likely to be done by any one judge or any number of judges. 



In conclusion I congratulate the society on the marked success of 

 its recent horse exhibition and express the belief that with adequate 

 housing the number of show animals may be readily doubled, making 

 the Michigan State Fair one of the greatest, if not the greatest horse 

 exhibit in the Union. All of which is res^^ctfully submitted, 



L. C. HOLDEN, 



Swpermtendent, 



