408' STATE BOARD OF ACJRICULTURE. 



THE FAIK OF 1899. 



The annual fair was lield on the ••rounds of the West Michigan Agri- 

 iultural Society at Grand Rapids, September 25 to 29, inclusive. 



The ^veather tliroujiliout the week was storniv and unusually cold for 

 the season of the year. 



The exhibit in all departments was large, and. notwithstanding the 

 weather, the attendance was greater than in 1898. 



The report of the business committee, secretary and treasurer will 

 show the result financially. 



WINTER MEETIXC; OF THE EXECUTIVE COxMMITTEE. 



The winter meeting was called to meet at Hudson House, Lansing, 

 Monday eyening, January 8, at 8 o'clock p. m. A quorum not being 

 ])resent, the meeting was adjourned to meet at Sweet's Hotel, Grand 

 Rapids, Tuesday, February 20, at S o'clock p. m. 



TUESDAY, FKBRIARY 20. 



Committee met as per adjournment at Sv.eet's Hotel, Grand Rajjids. 



Tailed to order by the president. 



Roll called, and the following members present: President, vice 

 president, treasurer, secretary and Messrs. Fifield, Barnes, Custard. 

 Ball. Boyden, Jones. Rice. Waldron, McKay. Hardy. Maynard, Reed, 

 Dewey, Graham, Lessiter. Hinds, Skeels, Horton. 



President Andei-son deliyered the annual address, as follows: 



PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS. 



Gentlemen of the Executiye Committee of the ^lichigan State Agri- 

 cultural Society: 



The last exhibition of this society closed the half century of its use- 

 fulness. It is useless for me to dwell upon what has been done in the 

 7)ast as the history of the society speaks foi- itself. Many of us have 

 been with it long enough to have seen it flowing with surplus wealth, 

 and hustling at other times endeavoring to pay its debts. I regret very 

 much that the centennial exhibition, which was one of the best in its 

 history, was so handicapped by inclement weather. Almost any kind 

 of business can stand a little wetting, but to be almost drowned, frozen 

 and struck by lightning, all at nearly the same time, usually proves 



