MICHIGAN STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 439 



NEEDLEWORK DEPARTMENT. 



To the President and Members of the Michigan State Agricultural 

 Society : 



Your superintendent of needlework begs leave to otfer the following 

 report : 



The exhibition in the needlework department at the Michigan state 

 fair in 1907 was certainly a very pleasing one, and it is gratifjing 

 indeed to note the number of entries made, and the superb quality of 

 the articles displayed. 



It is the belief of your superintendent that some additional induce- 

 ments should be made to exhibitors in this department as rapidly as 

 the financial condition of the society will admit. 



A separate building for the exhibition of woman's handiwork with 

 rest rooms, demonstration rooms, and assembly hall is an innovation 

 that would meet with the ai)i)roval of all. If at an early date it would 

 be possible to provide some kind of protection such as glass front cases, 

 whereby we could make each exhibitor more secure from loss or in- 

 jury to their delicate articles of handiwork, I am sure it would have 

 the effect of bringing out a greater display, and also additional quality. 



I would urge uj)on your Iionorable board that something of this 

 kind be jtrovided as soon as it is expedient. 



The entries in this department this year numbered 787. The total 

 value of these articles would run well into the thousands of dollars. 

 This can readily be doubled with adequate provision for the protec- 

 tion of at least the finer articles. 



The entire expense for conducting this department during the fair 

 was |I 89.00. Your superintendent took active campaign for exhibits, 

 having written over one hundred personal letters, and making many 

 calls, and the only rebuffs received were on the ground of insufficient 

 protection for the dainty exhibits. 



Wishing in this connection to thank the officials of the society and 

 especially Secretary Buttcrfield for the uniform courtesy shown the 

 superintendent of this department, this report is respectfully submitted, 



BELLE F. CLARK, 



Superintendent. 



