372 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



class. If their encouragement is continued, I would recommend a premium for the- 

 best " trained yoke of steers or oxen." 



In fat cattle there was a good display, and tlie quality was superb. There is evi- 

 dently an increased interest and improvement in this iine, and the number of well 

 fattened, early maturing steers is greatly on tlie increase. In this class I suggest 

 that the premium for the steer sliowing the greatest gain per day be made a sweep- 

 stal<e and that the amount now offered be divided into three i^remiums, for steers 

 one and under two years, two and under three years, and three and under four years 

 — eacli age competing separately. 



A premium for the best fat cow would frequently bring out some very fine speci- 

 mens of beef animals of some of tlie improved breeds. 



There are at least two pure breeds in the State that have merit, which are not 

 enumerated in the premium list, but they are not numerous enough at present to 

 warrant their addition especially in view of the fact that already cattle receive a 

 very large portion of the money awards of the Society. Thev are the "Guernsey" 

 and the "Red Polled." 



I have been asked by some to recommend a premium for a herd of fine young cat- 

 tle all bred by the exhibitor. This would undoubtedly make a fine exhibit. 



Altogether our exhibit of cattle is a credit to the breeders, the Society, and the 

 State. 



IRA H. BUTTERFIELD, Jk., 



Superintendent. 



Report accepted and referred to the Committee on PreJiiiums. 

 Superintendent Smith, of Division B, was given further time to report. 

 Superintendent Lessiter, of Division D (Swine), reported as follows: 



DIVISION D-SWINE. 



To the President and Executive Committee of the Michigan State Agricultural Society: 



In Class " D," Swine, the number of entries was 160; last year, 248. The low price 

 of pork the past year has no doubt lessened the interest in this department, yet the 

 show was a good one as regards quantity and quality, the Berkshires taking the lead 

 in numbers. Entries: Berkshires, 48; Essex, 27; Suffolk and Small Yorks, 22; 

 Poland-Chinas, 42; Chester Whites and Large Yorks, 17; Fat Hogs, 4. Total awards 

 in this Class. $586. Last year, §656. 



The Superintendent desires to thank the gentlemen who acted as judges at the 

 late Fair for their careful and patient labor, knowing tiiem to be well qualified to 

 discharge the duties devolved upon them. I find it is quite difficult to obtain good, 

 competent judges to serve without pay. 



All of which is respectfully submitted. 



JOHN LESSITER, 



Superintendent. 



Accepted and referred to Premium Committee. 

 . Superintendent Chamberlain asked for further time to report. 



Granted. 



Superintendent Anderson, of Division "M" (Musical Instruments, etc.), 

 offered the following: 



DIVISION M— MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, ETC. 



To the President and Executive Committee of the Michigan State Agricultural Sociey: 

 Gentlemen — The number of entries in Division " M" was as follows: 

 Class 54, Musical Instruments, Sewing Machines, etc., 29; Class 55, Watches, Jew- 

 elry, Plated Ware, etc., but one entry was made. In Class 54, no premiums were 

 offered. Class 55, §23 was offered but none awarded. 



I would recommend a change in this Division: Placing Musical Instruments and 

 Sewing Machines in a Class by themselves, and close the time for making entries on 

 Thursday, at 6 p. M., of the week preceding the fair. I consulted with the exhib- 

 itors at our late fair upon this subject and all were unanimous, and hoped the rules 

 would be changed. As no premiums are offered it is simply a matter of space. They 



