684 STATE BOARD OP AGRICULTURE. 



the laud with scrubs. The cattle of the State were really worse in quality 

 than twenty years ago as the result of this promiscuous crossing. He 

 predicted that those who had held fast to their improved herds and 

 flocks would receive their reward. 



Prof. H. W. Mumford of the Agricultural College followed with a 

 paper on "Harvesting and Feeding the Corn Crop," in which he detailed 

 the results of the various methods employed, the merits of each, and the 

 weak points which actual practice had shown to exist. The general 

 conclusion of the Professor seemed to be that surrounding conditions 

 must determine the methods to be followed, as what proved best under 

 certain circumstances would not prove so in others. 



The paper was discussed by Messrs. Wm. Ball, Peter Yoorhees, L. L. 

 Harsh and others. Mr. Voorhees detailed his experience in husking and 

 grinding, which he had found to cost him about 4 cents per bushel. Mr. 

 Harsh spoke of the amount of fodder he had grown on a few acres, and 

 said he felt certain he could carry six head of sheep to the acre by utiliz- 

 ing the corn crop, which proved to him that it exceeded in feeding value 

 any other crop. 



Prof. Manly Miles followed with a short talk, in which he took occa- 

 sion to point out the great danger of too much specializing, either in prac- 

 tice or in the acquirement of knowledge. He pointed out the results of 

 this in the great attention at present being given to the suoject of 

 balanced rations, as the result of the influence of the chemist upon agri- 

 cultural subjects, while the more important question of the best machine, 

 or animal, to manufacture the products into marketable commodities 

 was ignored or forgotten. Instruction in agriculture was largaly con- 

 fined to special lines, apparently with the idea of "making an agricul- 

 turist while you wait." Instruction should be more general if much 

 was to be gained. The specialist must of necessity be narrow and circum- 

 scribed in his views. 



The hour for the election of officers for the coming year having arrived, 

 that business was taken up. Upon motion of Mr. L. L. Harsh, which 

 was seconded, the secretary was instructed to cast the ballot of the As- 

 sociation for the officers elected last .year, substituting the name of J. C. 

 Sharp, of Jackson, for that of James M. Turner, of Lansing, deceased. 

 The officers for the coming year are therefore as follows: President, 

 H. H. Hinds, Stanton; Vice President, B. P. Peckham, Albion; Secretary 

 and Treasurer. 1. H. Buttcrrteld, Agricultural College. Directors: John 

 Lessiter, Pontiac; James N. McBride, Owosso; John C. Sharp, Jackson; 

 H. C. Farnhain, Crosse Isle; L. B. Townsend. Ionia. 



"Sheep and Wool — the Outlook, " was the next topic taken up, and it 

 was to be opened with short papers by J. H. Taft, Mendon ; Thos. Wyckoff, 

 Orchard Lake, and Robert Gibbons, Detroit. 



Mr. Taft's paper was quite short and made no reference to breeds, look- 

 ing at the question wholly from its commercial aspect. He spoke 

 strongly for the industry, and referred to the recent improvement in the 

 outlook. He expressed great confidence in the future, and evidently in- 

 tends proving his faith by his works. He has about the best flock of 

 Hampshires in the State. 



Thos. Wyckoff's paper followed and he pictured the future in roseate 

 hues, especially for the flocks of Merino blood. It was read by the Sec- 

 retary. Mr. Wyckoff not being present: 



