MICHIGAN STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 441 



A load of plants from the Belle Isle conservatory, procured through 

 the kindness of Park Commissioner Breitmeyer and Superintendent 

 Unger, aided materially in decorating Horticultural Hall, and as they 

 were of rare species and were specially selected on account of some 

 striking peculiarity, or tlieir economic value, they attracted much atten- 

 tion. 



The cut flower exhibit, although not extensive, was of unusual merit. 

 The exhibit of gladioli from W. F. Bole, Ada, was the finest ever made 

 in the state, and exhibits by amateurs were excellent. 



In the way of bedding plants, there was but one exhibitor for premiums, 

 but he had entries in most of the classes. The appearance of the grounds 

 was greatly enhanced by the large beds of cannas, salvias and roses, 

 the plants for which were furnished gratuitously by Vaughan's seed 

 store of Chicago, and by other plants furnished at a merely nominal 

 price by Nathan Smith & Son, of Adrian. The exhibits of the various 

 nursery firms also added materially to the appearance of that portion 

 of the grounds. 



As was the case in 1906, the Agricultural College occupied one corner 

 of the Horticultural Hall Avith a very interesting and instructive ex- 

 hibit, designed not only to illustrate the Avork of the college, and its 

 equipment, but much of the exhibit was educational in its character, 

 and those in charge were kept busy explaining it and answering ques- 

 tions. 



I was fortunate in being able to secure Mr. M. L. Dean as judge of the 

 fruit exhibit. Mr. Dean also proved very helpful in assisting the ex- 

 hibitors in classifying and naming their fruit. Mr. Frank Holzbagle 

 and H. W. Unger acted as judges of the cut flowers and plants, re- 

 spectively. Prof. F. W. Kobison was the judge of the canned fruit dis- 

 play, and all of them gave good satisfaction. 



For financial statement see report of the secretary. 



Kespectfullv submitted, 



L. K. TAFT, 

 Superintendent. 



EDUCATIONAL DEPARTMENT. 



To the Honorable Board of Directors of the Michigan Agricultural 

 Society : 



It gives me much jdeasure (o submit the following rejtort of the 

 educational department of the state fair, held at Detroit Aug. 29 to 

 Sept. 6, 1907 : 



The educational department was a success, many of our largest and 

 best city schools sending very creditable exhibits. Among the cities 

 to be remembered for the fine exhibits are Detroit, Pontiac, Bay City, 

 Calumet, Ironwood, Saginaw, Romeo and Wyandotte. A number of the 

 small village schools of the state made very fine exhibits also. 



The premium list was arranged in the following departments: High 

 school, grammar, intermediate, i)rimary, kind(M'garten, music, manual 



