MLCHIGAN STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 729 



In conclusion, I would suggest that the diplomas ottered and allowed 

 in this department be placed at as early a date as possible. 



Respectfully submitted, 



NEWELL J. KELSEY, 

 Acting Superintendent. 



REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF FARM IMPLEMENTS AND VEHICLES. 



To the President and officers of the Michigan State Agricultural Society: 

 Gentlemen — Owing to the fact that all of the jobbers of implements 

 in Grand Rapids, w r ith one exception, refused to make any display at 

 our last fair, it was made necessary to do much hard work to secure a 

 good exhibit. However, the matter summed up is, that we had a good 

 exhibit, I think fully equal to either year that immediately preceded it, 

 and was a source of much satisfaction under the circumstances both to 

 exhibitor and your superintendent. 



Divison •/. — Vehicles. 



We had 43 entries — a fairly good exhibit, not as good as might have 

 been secured bv earlier work. The room for this department is close — 

 not what it should be on the present grounds. I would recommend some 

 change if possible, to give more room, and nearer the implement de- 

 partment. It would give much better satisfaction and allow the exhibit 

 in many cases of the two departments by one firm. 



With the assurance I have, I can promise a fine exhibit of both de- 

 partments for a coming fair. 



F. H. LATTA. 

 Superintendent of Implements. 



REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF NEEDLEWORK. 



To the members of the Executive Committee of the Michigan State Agri- 

 cultural Society: 



Gentlemen — As Superintendent of the Needlework Department of our 

 fair of 1897, I submit the following report: There were 437 entries in 

 this exhibit, 34 of which were in plain needlework, 250 in embroidery, 

 100 in crochet and knit work and 43 in children's class. 



The offerings in plain needlework were $28.00, of which $15.00 were 

 taken: $152.50 were offered in embroidery, $121.00 being taken. Of 

 the $60.50 offered for crochet and knit work, $26.00 were awarded, while 

 of the $44.25 offered in children's department, only $15.00 were taken. 

 The total offering of this division was $285.25, of which $177.00 or 

 about 62 per cent of the offering, was taken. Owing to press of other 

 business connected with the fair. I deemed it best to appoint Mrs. F." E, 

 Skeels Acting Superintendent of this department, and the success at- 

 tained there is due to her management rather than to any effort of mine. 

 So far as I have been informed, no fault was or has been registered 

 against this division. The premium list was thoroughly revised and 

 the result was very evident in the change made in the exhibit. It is 

 suggested to us by Mrs. Skeels that another revision of this department 

 would result in a much more attractive display, and she would earnestly 

 recommend a division of the department into professional and amateur 

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