MICHIGAN STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 409 



ilisastrous. In all my i)ast eighteen years' experience with the work- 

 ings of this society I never experienced such as it had to contend with 

 during its last exhibition. I had flattered mvself that the semi-cen- 

 tennial Avas to go down in the society's history as one of the best both 

 in class of exhibits and tinances. In the former I was not disappointed, 

 but in the latter I was, although I must confess that the final showing- 

 came out quite beyond my expectations, as I looked for a large deficit, 

 while we were struggling with the weather. It is evident that the 

 business management was all that could be wished, and every member 

 did his best to make it a financial success. I wish to make a sfjecial 

 mention of our general superintendent, Mr. Fifield, who threw his whole 

 energy and business experience toward the success of the fair. 



I cannot refrain from mentioning superintendent of booths and privi- 

 leges, Mr. Dewey. When I received the final figures I found that he 

 had collected and paid in |2,918.13 out of the mud, rain, freezing, cyclone 

 week. I might make mention of others, but it would include the 

 entire list of superintendents, as all worked together with a determina- 

 tion to make it a success. 



ADVERTISING. 



The committee the past year did not follow out the usual methods 

 of advertising, but introduced a personal mailing method which proved 

 to be wise, as the increase in railroad coupons indicated. It is a known 

 fact that there were more people from a distance than ever before, 

 which I attribute to the method of advertising and would recommend its 

 continuation. The amount of railroad coupons, reaching nearly |6,000, 

 is an indication of the benefit derived by the change. 



FAIR DATES. 



In ]»ast years the second week in September has proven, with very 

 few exceptions, the best September week. From 20th to 30th, there 

 is usually a disturbance in getting out of summer into fall, or the 

 equinoctial period, that makes fair weather very uncertain. 



EVENING ENTERTAINMENTS. 



I was not favorably impressed with the proposition of night exhibi- 

 tions, but inasmuch as a call for it seemed to be from a source that 

 would suffer equally with the society should it prove a failure, the 

 committee thought best to yield to the recjuest, knowing that it meant 

 the hardest kind of work and a great deal more responsibility, for the 

 j)olice dei)artinent especially; and no one knows better what it means 

 to have night attractions than Supcu'intendent of Police ^Ir. Hardy, 

 who left nothing uncared for, his plans being admirably carried out. 

 Had the weather been warm and the lighting been perfect, a much 

 larger attendance undoubtedly would have been secured. Unfortunately 

 both weather and lights were a failure. 



EXHIBITS. 



The class of exhibits far excelled any previous exhibition in every 

 department. Cari-iages, machinery, live stock and art hall never looked 

 better, in my judgment, tlian they did at the last exhibition. 

 53 



