432 STATE BOARD OP AGRICULTURE. 



SPEED DEPARTMENT. 



To the President, OflSeers and Members of the Executive Committee of 

 the Michigan State Agricultural Society : 



As superintendent of the speed dopartnir-nt, T submit the following 

 report : 



In our premium list Ave offered stake races for two-year-old trotters 

 and pacers, also for three-year-old trotters and pacers, none of which 

 filled with the excention of one starter in the three-vear-old trot, wliich 

 was settled for |135.00. 



We offered eighteen purses in the trotting and pacing classes of 

 1500.00 each. The 2:11 trot did not fill, wiiicli left us seventeen races 

 on our program. The 2:15 trot we declared off as we could not finish 

 our program on Friday afternoon by having the trot. 



In all the races of the Michigan State Agi'icultural Society with which 

 I have been connected for the last twenty years we have never 

 had a set of horses upon the fair grounds that were so unevenly matched 

 as they were in these races. 



I desire to call the attention of the committee to the condition of 

 the track. It needs covering very badly. If we had a covering of suit- 

 able soil of three to four inches on the top of this track it would make 

 one of the best tracks in the United States, and I believe it would be 

 a source of revenue to the society, as by having the track fixed we 

 could have a large number of horses working on the track the entire 

 season. 



In making out the attached statement showing the financial con- 

 dition of the races, I have used one-half of the grand stand receipts for 

 the afternoon of each day, and taken nothing to the credit of the horse 

 department for entrance through our gates. 



The receijits and disbursements are as follows: 



RECEIPTS. 



106 at $25.0C each $2,650 00 



1 entry from three-year-old 6 00 



62 winners at $25.00 each 1,550 00 



Three-year-old purse unearned 300 00 



2 : 15 trot unearned 500 00 



Fourth money saved in free-for-all pace 50 00 



Fourth money saved in 2:22 trot 50 00 



$5,106 00 



The above receipts came into my hands during the 



fair and were turned over to the treasurer, for which I 

 have his receipt. 



Received from colt stakes $48 00 



Received from pool privilege 3,140 00 



One-half afternoon receipts, grand stand 4,676 87 



Stall rents 296 55 



Score card 450 00 



8,611 42 



Total receipts $13,717 42 



Total disbursements 10,304 89 



$3,412 53 



