352 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTUEE. 



I think the expense of the society would be lessened and the exhibition improved, 

 by striking out all fourth premiums wherever they occur in the list of 1883, as those 

 premiums, especially in the stock department, in my judgment tend to induce the 

 exhibition of stock for which room and forage must be provided without merit in the 

 animals. 



There is still quite a large portion of our halls used by exhibitors who bring their 

 goods principally for advertising purposes. The cost "to the society for furnishing 

 this space is generally much greater than the amount of premiums offered, and 1 

 advise that hereafter no premiums be offered for such goods or articles. We provide 

 the room and opportunity, that class of exhibits will generally be sufficiently large 

 without premiums. 



JUDGES AND AWARDING COMMITTEE, 



So much of the good feeling and permanent success of the Society depends on the 

 ability and impartiality of the judges selected, that I feel the subject cannot be too 

 strongly impressed on aW superintendents to select and engage their awarding com- 

 mittees prior to the meeting of the fair (which our rules now permit). When that 

 important duty is carefully and conscientiously performed, and in sufficient time to 

 verify their acceptance of the trust before the commencement of the fair, it saves 

 much embarrassment and annoyance, and gives the best opportunity to get the most 

 suitable persons for the duties required of them. 



GENERAL POLICY. 



The officers of the Michigan State Agricultural Society, acknowledge their respon- 

 sibility to the people of the State for the proper conduct and management of the 

 society, not only in a business but in a moral point of view, and for the proper accom- 

 plishment of that object they have adopted rules for their government and direction, 

 which the judgment of those of long and successful experience in their management 

 of fairs approve, and then adhere to and enforce to the best of their ability, which I 

 am confident the result of the order on the grounds and success of the fairs, abund- 

 antly proves were faithfully performed. Inmany respects our rules are very stringent. 

 They prohibit the selling, giving away, or keeping on the premises of any intoxicat- 

 ing drinks, pool selling, horse trotting or running for money stakes, gambling in any form, 

 Immoral or improper exhibitions of any kind, under the penalty of forfeiture of all 

 rentals paid and immediate vacation of the grounds. Innocent amusements and exhi- 

 bitions are permitted, such as in our judgment are inoffensive, but to a large number 

 of our visitors are entertaining, but all such are kept under close supervision and are 

 summarily dealt with for any violations of the rules. While the fair last fall was 

 very large not only in exhibits but in attendance and held within the limits and easy 

 access of a large city, and attended by thousands of all classes'fif people, still the order 

 on the grounds and general conduct of our visitors was remarkably good, and the law 

 and rules generally cheerfully observed without question, which speaks very highly 

 in favor of the intelligence and order-loving people of the State. 



Our annual meeting held last June at Lansing, and visit to the Agricultural Col- 

 lege, and with the State Board of Agriculture, was very pleasant and agreeable, and 

 trust both the society and the college will be benefited by the meeting. The usual 

 report of our special committee on the college will be made to this meeting. The 

 State Horticultural Society, considering the very unfavorable year for fruit, made a 

 very creditable exhibition, and it was quite an attractive feature of the fair, and 

 trust the usual appropriation in their favor will be made and their co-operation con- 

 tinued. 



On receiving a notice from the U. S. Commissioner of Agriculture, that a meeting 

 of delegates from the several States would be held at Chicago Nov. 15, 1883, to take 

 into consideration the animal industries of the country, I appointed I. H. Butterfield, 

 Jr., Esq., and Hon. William Ball members of this committee to represent this State 

 and societj' at that convention, which they attended, and will make a report to this 

 society of the questions brought before and the action of the convention thereon. 



At the request of Hon. H. A. Conant, Secretary of State, we issued to him, to be 

 distributed under his supervision to the various crop reporters throughout the State 

 (who number in all some 1,200) complimentary tickets for admission to the fair for 

 themselves and families, as a slight acknowledgment for their valuable services ren- 

 dered to the people of the State without other compensation. About 200 tickets 

 were used. 



PAIR CIRCUIT. 



A meeting of the Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana Fair Circuit delegates was held in 

 Detroit, Dec. 12, 1883, with a full and, In some respects, an important meeting. 



