528 MICHIGAN STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



January 14, 1888. Balance on hand $3,839 06 



" 1889. Receipts of current year 16,432 75 



$20,271 81 

 Disbursements for the year to date 19,501 61 



$770 20 

 Outstanding debts 200 00 



Net balance on hand $570 20 



This showing makes a shrinkage of late years that very nearly lands the 

 Society where money ceases to be among the articles on hand. The question 

 may be properly asked what has led to this state of things. The general 

 watchword has been, we must economize by cutting down expenses, etc. 

 This course has beeD thoroughly pursued, and still the shrinkage increases. 

 The Business Committee being governed by the expressed views and feelings 

 of the Executive Committee and their own judgment, have reduced expenses 

 of preparation for the Fair to the lowest possible sum. This season's 

 expenses of preparation have been much less than ever before in the history 

 of the Society. Have we gained or lost by this course? All looking and 

 working for the welfare of the Society we represent, will see at a glance the 

 pertinence of this question, and the propriety of such discussion as may- 

 tend to lead us toward prosperity in the future. Our exhibitions have been 

 well advertised, not only at our own expense, but have been aided by the 

 railroads of the State. The people seem to be looking for something new; 

 they say we must get out of the old rut. If the grumblers would give their 

 time and money and impart to us some of their pent-up wisdom, we might 

 then get out of the old rut. All participants and visitors to the last State 

 Fair, so far as seen, pronounce the Fair a success in all its departments. 

 Takiug our various well-filled and well-arranged halls, our great and well- 

 managed implement department, together with our numerous live stock 

 departments, all running full to the brim, without friction, and certainly, 

 no one could call it a poor or small show. Right here let us look for a 

 moment at our organization composed of skilled workmen. Our superin- 

 tendents, thoroughly educated to their work, take their departments when 

 the Fair opens, and the most rare thing heard on the grounds is a complaint 

 or even a murmur. It is much more trying to patience and temper in some 

 of our departments than others. The Superintendent of Gates, for instance, 

 finds himself in a warm latitude, regardless of the position of the mercury, 

 where nothing short of the smooth surface of a Ball could ward off the 

 constant attack. 



The fact has been clearly demonstrated over and over that in order to 

 make a show or exhibit successful, it must be made attractive. At various 

 times we have tried special exhibits, chariot races, equestrianism, special 

 speed department, military display, etc., all with a view to meeting and 

 suiting the tastes of all, so far as we could. Much good judgment must be 

 put in play to secure the necessary variety and at the same time fully sustain 

 the dignity and good standing of the Society we represent. 



We find through correspondence and personal interviews with those 

 interested in the management of large exhibitions — State and otherwise — 

 a good deal of criticism on what outsiders term in some cases our "close 

 communion " mode of excluding exhibits of stock from other States from 



