452 STATE BOARD OP AGRICULTURE 



The reports of the executiA^e superintendents were referred to the com- 

 mittee on premium list and the committee on rules^ to be appointed. 

 The finance committee reported as follows: 



EEPORT OF FINANCE COMMITTEE. 



To the President and Executive Committee Michigan State Agricultural 

 Society : 



Gentlemen — We, your committee on finance, to whom was referred the 

 report of the secretary, business committee and the treasurer, beg leave 

 to make the following statement: We have made a careful examination 

 of all vouchers, stubs and books by checking and comparing, and find the 

 reports as rendered correct. 



All of which is respectfuUv submitted. 



M. P. ANDERSON, 

 H. R. DEWEY, 

 F. E. SKEELS, 



Committee. 



The report was accepted and adopted. 



On motion adjourned sine die. 



The officers and executive committee elect for 1899 were called to order 

 by the president. Roll called and the following members were found 

 present: President I. H. Butterfield, Vice President M. P. Anderson, 

 Secretary H. S. Fralick, Treasurer C. W. Young, and the following mem- 

 bers of the executive committee: Eugene Fifield, Frank Maynard, F. L. 

 Reed, E. W. Hardv, H. R. Dewev, John Lessiter, H. H. Hinds, F. E. 

 Skeels, M. J. Card,' L. W. Barnes,' William Ball, W. E. Boyden, Eugene 

 W. Jones, J. E. Rice, C. A. Waldron, L. J, Rindge, John McKay. 



The president elect presented his address: 



ADDRESS OF PRESIDENT ELECT I. H. BUTTERFIELD. 



Gentlemen of the Executive Committee of the Michigan State Agricul- 

 tural Society: 



The Michigan State Agricultural Society has been in existence just 

 fifty years. It has behind it half a century of usefulness to the agri- 

 cultural industries of the State. In its earlier history it was the chief 

 stimulus to improvement in agriculture and to the introduction of im- 

 proved breeds of live stock into Michigan. 



The annual fairs were the occasion of the gathering together of the 

 best farmers of the State with their families, and the commingling with 

 the business men and manufacturers, as well as professional men; for 

 in its early as well as later years, it has had active members from all 

 classes and professions. The Governor of the State was its first presi- 

 dent and it has numbered since as incumbents of that office, men who 

 have taken prominent part in public alfairs. Its officers have invariably 

 been men of high character and standing in the communities in which 

 they resided. At this period in its career, it seems fitting to review in 

 brief its past history. 



