MICHIGAN STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 357 



them. It is a serious question whether permission to sell lager beer can be granted 

 without carrying all liquors that will intoxicate. The great mass of persons who 

 get tlie right to sell beer on the State fair grounds will covertly sell other spirits. 

 Ts it not wise, therefore, for us to clear our skirts entirely, thus removing, as far as 

 we are concerned, all temptation from the youth who visit our fairs and whose 

 morals we are bound to protect so far as is in our power? I believe the sentiment 

 of the State strongly demands its entire exclusion, and that sentiment we are bound 

 to respect. Tlie State Agricultural Society of Indiana proliibited the sale of liquors, 

 including beer, five yeai'S ago, and has suffered no diminution in interest or pros- 

 perity on that account. Nebraska has never allowed the sale of ardent spirits or 

 beer on county or State fair grounds, yet the fair at Omaha last fall was tlie most 

 prosperous ever held in the State. Iowa excluded from the fair grounds all liquors 

 five years ago, and although the present direction, as the president of that society 

 writes me, is very liberal, a vote could not be secured for the sale of lager beer. It 

 seems to me clear, gentlemen, that the time has arrived for decisive action on this 

 subject; I would therefore recommend that beer, ale, wine, and all other intoxicat- 

 ing liquors, with all side shows and and amusements, that oifend good taste, impair 

 the dignity or compromise the high character of tlie society, be forever excluded 

 from or about the fair grounds. I am firmly of the opinion that we shall gain in 

 other directions what we may lose by booth rents for the sale of intoxicants or 

 exhibitions of questionable character. 



The matter of crop reports is exciting much interest in our own and other States; 

 they were authorized for Michigan by the Legislature of 18S1, and the clerical work 

 hasbeen done by the State department, the duties occupying the time of one clerk 

 only as now conducted. There exists a conviction that these reports, enlarged and 

 amplified, may be made not only desirable, but extremely valuable to the farming 

 community under a somewhat different management. In Ohio, Pennsylvania, and 

 New York these reports are under the direction of the State Agricultural Societies 

 and the Boards of Agriculture (where they would seem naturally to belong). In 

 view of the intimate relations sustained by this society to the different sections of 

 the State, I would suggest whether it may not be proper and desirable to ask the Leg- 

 islature to transfer this work to tlie Michigan State Agricultural society, acting 

 independently or in connection with the Agricultural College Board, having a com- 

 petent scientific person whoshallbe charged with the responsibility of these reports 

 and their distribution, being recognized at tlie same time as corresponding secre- 

 tary of the Michigan State Agricultural society, with a salary paid by the State, for 

 whose benefit the work is performed. 



In dairy products, for some cause, Michigan occupies an inferior rank; it is diffi- 

 cult to understand the reason; it certainly is not found in an unsuitable soil, for in 

 every section of the State nutritious grasses are produced. Illinois, Wisconsin, and 

 Iowa are in advance of us in milk products, and they have a first-class reputation in 

 eastern markets, while ours are comparatively unknown. One dairyman in North- 

 ern Illinois milks GOO cows, and his butter commands a ready sale in Chicago at 

 forty (40) cents. Much of the butter of Wisconsin, I am informed, is equally fine, 

 and'there is in that State a thrifty dairy interest that has worked up this industry 

 with most profitable results. I should say intelligent, energetic eftbrts will secure 

 to Michigan similar success, for our soils are well adapted to milk products. Noth- 

 ing requires more care, yet nothing pays better for care than wise practical manage- 

 ment of dairy farming. For more than thirty years there has been in our Detroit 

 market reports but one "re/ram," markets bare of good choice butter vvhich would 

 command a high price, inferior qualities and grease butter in great quantities and 

 without demand. The estimated cost to the farmer in Pennsylvania of butter is 

 twenty (20) cents and the average price realized is 25 cents for the State, giving a 

 gross return enormous in amount. The dairy products of Michigan, with her 317,000 

 cows, should yield at least $12,000,000— while shrewd dealers do not believe we get 

 $5,000,000. Special prizes in neighboring States are given for creamery butter, and 

 that class of butter in all markets, seems to have the preference; would it not be 

 wise to encourage the establishment of creameries throughout the State by special 

 premiums as the true way out of the dilemma in which we seem to be placed? 

 Experience shows little success in reducing the expenses of our annual fairs, which 

 seem enormous. The cost of forage ought to be materially lessened, and if a reduc- 

 tion cannot be eSected otherwise, a change should be made for it, as in many other 

 States (it is for the interest of the exhibitor to economize expenses, as thereby pre- 

 miums may be enlarged). I am slow to believe that there is any just requirement for 

 $1,G00 worth of hay and straw. It strikes me a saving may be effected in this item, 

 if not in others. 



