THE POLICY OF UNION FAIRS. 



EXTRACTS FROM THE ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SECRETARY' OF THE 



STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



The policy of this Society has always been to hold its annual fair in connec- 

 tion with some other society of kindred aim and character. The first fair of 

 1870, humble and unostentatious, was held in connection with the Kent 

 County Asjricultural Society. We received $250 from the County Society for 

 our first fair. The second and third fairs were held in connection with the 

 Northern Michigan Agricultural and Mechanical Society, 1871 and 1872. We 

 received each year $1,000, the printing and publishing of our premium list, 

 and other necessary printing, and the free use of Pomological Hall on the fair 

 grounds at Grand Rapids. The fourth fair was held in union with the State 

 Agricultural Society at the same place, and we received $1,500, — $1,200 for our 

 premiums and 1300 for expenses of fair, printing of premium list, and other 

 necessary books and stationery. 



These four fairs were union fairs. Every one of them was a success. The 

 fame of these fairs has gone abroad over all the land. The policy of union 

 has been vindicated by the results. I presume that 100,000 people have looked 

 upon these our fruit exhibitions. The advantages of this policy are numerous ; 

 it involves no great risk ; the hall is certain ; the money to pay premiums is 

 very nearly certain ; the people to look at the exhibition are certain to come, — 

 they come to look at the stock, the manufactures, the mechanics, the horse, 

 the sewing machine, the organ, the Brahma, the trot, the Irish giant, and they 

 also take a look at the fruit. Thus we secure an audience, — we get a hearing. 

 We reach thousands that otherwise we should not reach or attract ; we teach a 

 multitude that otherwise would remain in ignorance of the fact that fruit- 

 raising was a real and important industry of the State. The arrangement for 

 half fare is made for us as well as for all others ; we are to no trouble about that. 



A due regard for the proprieties of the occasion require me to say that the 

 relations of officers and members of the two State societies, at the late fair, 

 were very pleasant and agreeable. The president of the State Agricultural 

 Society has always been a member of the State Pomological Society, is now a 

 life member, and he has contributed in word and deed, in every possible manner, 

 to encourage the growth and success of this society. Naturally generous, pub- 

 lic spirited and noble hearted, his generosity and public spirit have never failed 

 to appreciate our work and needs and achievements. On the first day of the 

 fair the gates were thrown open to fruit exhibitors in common with others, 

 Exhibitors who were obliged to enter with teams during the days of the fair, 

 or who were obliged to keep attendants, were furnished with entrance tickets. 

 The officers and members of our Society were treated alike with the officers and 



