MICHIGAN STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 415 



HORSE DEPARTMENT. 



The superintendent of the horse department made no report. 



The show of the horses at the fair of 1906 was much larger than for several 



years. The increase in heavy draft horses was particularly noticeable, as 



well as the number of fine teams. 



SHEEP DEPARTMENT. 



To the President and Members of the Executive Committee of the Michi- 

 gan State Agricultural Society: 



Gentlemen — As acting superintendent of the sheep department during 

 the Fair of 1906 I beg to submit the following report: 



The showing made in this department at the last Fair was, in my opinion, 

 the largest and best show of sheep, both as regards numbers and quality, 

 ever made at any fair held within the confines of the State since the State 

 Agricultural Society began making history and setting the pace in high class 

 exhibits. 



I think both exhibitors and visitore were unanimous in this opinion. It 

 was an exhibit not only of which the Society may justly feel proud, but 

 which furnished most conclusive proof that the breeding of that valued 

 friend of man — the sheep — is being carried yearly to a still higher degree 

 of excellence than ever before attained. 



The total number of entries, including flocks and specials, was 1,205, 

 and for single animals, 1,120. The actual number of sheep exhibited was 

 approximately 950. 



In my opinion the Society was exceptionally fortunate in securing the 

 services, as judges, of men of such eminent ability and prominence as John 

 P. Ray, of New York State, who judged the Merino breeds, and R. J. Stone, 

 of Illinois, who judged the mutton breeds. 



Universal satisfaction was expressed over the fairness and impartiality 

 of the decisions of each in his department. 



The accommodations provided were highly praised by the exhibitors, 

 and greatly appreciated by those who were accommodated. Great for- 

 bearance was shown by those exhibitors who had to wait for the completion 

 of temporary quarters before being able to unload their sheep. ~ 



If I may take the liberty I would most respectfully recommend that an 

 enlargement of the capacity of the quarters for this department be made 

 before another exhibit is assembled. 



In my opinion it is imperative that the present quarters be enlarged by 

 from 50 to 75% in order to provide ample accommodations for the exhibitors 

 and the proper and economical handling of the department. 



All of which is most respectfully submitted. 



L. W. BARNES, 

 Acting Superintendent Sheep Department. 



SWINE DEPARTMENT. 



To Michigan Agricultural Society: 



I submit the following report of the swine department for the year 1906: 



Number of entries, 716. 



Amount of premiamis offered, S3,346.00. 



Amoimt paid, S2,326.00. 



