breeders. Now I would propose that we make the examination of thoroughbred cattle equally prominent with that of the trotting horse. This can be done, and only done, by extending the number of days of holding the fair. I would propose that our next annual fair commence on Monday, and close on Wednesday of the following week. Monday and Tuesday will be devoted principally to preparation. Committees to commence their work on Wednesday. All thoroughbred cattle to be examined in front of the grand stand upon the track. A portion of each forenoon and afternoon to be devoted to the examination of thoroughbred cattle. A regular printed programme to be published in advance of the fair, giving full particulars for each day's examination of stock and speed trials during the fair, so that committee men would know, prior to the fair, the time their services would be required. This extension of time is important, and will add much to the interest and success of our future expositions.

LAWS OF THE STATE IN REGARD TO AGRICULTURE.

I wish to call your attention, and the attention of all who feel an interest in the advancement of agriculture in our State, to the general laws of the State. At the commencement of the session of 1869, and prior to that time, the law read "that where in any county of the State the sum of $100 had been raised for agricultural purposes, it shall be the duty of the Board of Supervisors in said county to assess or levy a tax of one-fortieth to one-tenth of a mill on the valuation of property assessed, for the benefit of agriculture," etc. At the session of 1869, this law was changed so as to read that "where $100 had been Jaised in any county of the State for agricultural purposes, the Board of Supervisors MAY levy a tax of one-fortieth to one-tenth of a mill on the valuation of property," etc. To this was added a clause "providing there had been no horse racing on the fair grounds."

The best interests of the State at large require that this law should be restored to its original standing prior to the session of 1869, making it the duty of the Boards of Supervisors to levy a tax for the promotion of agriculture. It is agriculture and manufactures that form the wealth of the State, and those two great interests have made Michigan prosperous. In 1836 this State was a Territory. She now ranks 13th in population. In 1860 she was the 16th. In 1850 she was the 20th.

The objection may be made by some that in restoring this law to its former meaning, that the Legislature is licensing horse racing. Not so. No agricultural society can exist and be prosperous that runs to "all horse," or gives too great a prominence to the horse, to the neglect of other classes of stock. Trotting, or trials of speed, is necessary for the success of all our fairs. It is these trials of speed that call forth the large attendance and enable us to pay the premiums on cattle, machinery, agricultural implements, fine arts, and all other classes in the exhibition. Too much prominence should not be given to the horse. Cattle, in their classes, should receive as prominent a place in their examination as horses. By extending the number of days of holding a fair, equal prominence can be given to cattle and horses. Upon this will depend much of the success of future fairs. I hope steps may be taken to bring this matter properly before the Legislature.

INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION AT PHILADELPHIA, 1878.

There will be held in Philadelphia, in 1876, an International Exhibition, thus celebrating the 100th anniversary of the independence of the United

States. This Society is invited to co-operate with the commission. The Commissioner, Mr. Wm. P. Blake, says in his circular:

"Each State of the Union will be expected to send its peculiar products, illustrating its resources, both developed and undeveloped. A complete exhibition of this kind by all the States will afford the means of comparing their industrial condition and capabilities. The products of mining and agriculture will occupy a large portion of the space allotted to each State, and will receive their just share of attention in this universal display. An undertaking so patriotic in its conceptions, so vast in its proportions, and so useful in its results, commends itself to the hearty sympathy and support of an intelligent people. Patriotism, as well as appreciation of the industrial, educational, and moral influences of well organized exhibitions, should impel all citizens to lend a helping hand."

He also suggests the appointment of a committee to suggest measures to promote the success of the Exposition and co-operate with the Centennial Commission. I would recommend that a committee be appointed by this Society to co-operate with the Board of Commissioners of the Centennial and Industrial Exhibition.

No more fitting celebration of the centennial anniversary of the independence of the United States could be had than a grand international exposition, represented by foreign countries and the States comprising this Union, with the Territories each represented by works of art, natural and artificial productions, agricultural productions, manufactures, etc.

I hope steps may be taken by this Society that our State may be represented by an exhibition at the centennial anniversary that we may well be proud of as citizens of Michigan.

DECLINE IN WHEAT PRODUCTION.

I would call your attention to the decline in the average yield of wheat in this State. The total yield of wheat in Minnesota is estimated at 26,000,000 bushels for 1872; the average yield is estimated at 173 bushels per acre. This is near 50 per cent better than our own State has done. Our crop of wheat for 1872 is estimated at 12,800,000 bushels; average yield per acre, about 12 bushels. All must admit that this is too low an average for Michigan. Our soil is capable, with proper management, with care in the selection of seed wheat, of producing an average yield of 18 to 20 bushels per acre. I would recommend that our Society offer liberal premiums on field crops, particularly wheat and corn, thus encouraging their yield.

A NATIONAL SHOW OF CATTLE IN 1874.

I would recommend, gentlemen, that our Society appoint a committee of three to correspond with the importers and breeders of thoroughbred cattle, sheep and swine, of the different States and of Canada, with a view of having at our fair in the fall of 1874 the finest display of thoroughbred cattle, sheep, and swine ever exhibited in America; and that sufficient inducements in the way of premiums may be offered at said fair as will attract the importers and breeders of the country to exhibit.

A STATE ENTOMOLOGIST.

At the annual meeting of the State Pomological Society, in December last, the following resolution was adopted unanimously:

Resolved, That the State Pomological Society petition the State Legislature to provide by law for the appointment of a State Entomologist by the Gov

ernor, on the joint nomination of the President of the State Pomological Society, State Board of Agriculture, State Agricultural Society, and the Northern Michigan Agricultural and Mechanical Society; to provide, also, such a salary for said entomologist as will secure the best ability and the devotion of his full time to the duties of his office.

THE NECESSITY.

I hope the officers and directors of this Society will take such action, with other kindred associations, as will lead to the appointment of a State Entomologist. A competent State Entomologist, one who will devote his time faithfully to the duties of the office, can save to the fruit growers and farmers of Michigan $50,000 annually. It is estimated that the loss in the apple crop, caused by the apple worm the past year, in this State, would pay all the taxes, State, county, and town.

LOCATION OF THE NEXT FAIR.

Another subject that will require your careful consideration will be the locating of the next State fair, and the adoption of the time for holding the same. Propositions from different points in our State will be laid before you asking for its location for the present year.

STATE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE.

It affords me pleasure, and it cannot but be gratifying to all who feel an interest in the advancement of agriculture and mechanics in our State, to witness the flourishing condition of the Agricultural College. The College was instituted according to an act of Congress. In 1862 it had a gift of land from the general government of 240,000 acres. Of this 47,232 acres have been sold for the sum of $154,178. The interest of this sum is applied to the support of the College. There remain unsold 197,168 acres, now in the market for purchase. When these are sold the interest from the proceeds will make the State Agricultural College self-sustaining. The sale of lands is under the direction

of the Governor and other State officers. The number of students at the last term of the College was 131, four of whom were ladies. The leading object of the Agricultural College is to teach such branches of learning as will advance the general interest of agriculture and the mechanical arts, without excluding other scientific and classical studies. It is for the interest of the farmers of Michigan that they give to their sons a more complete education on the subjects relating to their profession. This is necessary to make farming successful and profitable. Agriculture and manufactures, I reiterate, are the basis of the wealth and prosperity of the country.

STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

I have been acquainted with the action of this society since its organization. It is a live, progressive sister State Society, and I do not hesitate to commend it to your consideration. It represents an interest we cannot affort to ignore. I have been familiar with its fairs and meetings, and they have been very beneficial and profitable to the State. The culture of fruit is assuming much greater proportions in this State than is generally known. The nurseries of this State are growing rapidly. This business of growing fruit trees should be encouraged. We ought not to send a dollar out of the State for fruit trees. We ought to supply Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin with a portion of their stocks of trees. The vineyard interest of the State is rapidly advancing. The peach orchards of the State cover thousands of acres. The apple orchards

cover tens of thousands of acres. The small fruits, strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries, are extensively cultivated. The dried fruits, canned fruits, and preserved fruits are found in every household. Fruit of some kind is shipped from almost every station in the State. We have large canning establishments, employing many hands and doing a large business. We have Alden fruit factories, also, giving employment to a large number of men, women, boys, and girls, and paying out thousands of dollars for green fruits. It will be seen that this fruit growing business is becoming a very large interest, and should be encouraged by this society. I believe this interest should be committed to the charge of the State Pomological Society. This society has held three annual meetings. At their meeting in December a committee was appointed to confer in regard to the holding of the next Union Fair. I would recommend that a like committee of conference be appointed by this society, with a view to their exhibiting with us at the annual fair, thus bringing about a grand Union State Fair. For two years the Northern Michigan Agricultural and Mechanical Society gave the State Pomological Society $1,000 for premiums on fruits and flowers. This amount was too small for the present year, and I recommended in my recent address $1,500. Now that the State Agricultural and the Northern Michigan Agricultural and Mechanical Societies have united, I believe that a liberal policy should be pursued. I recommend that this Society offer $2,000 in premiums on fruits and flowers under the general supervision of the State Pomological Society.

STATE POULTRY ASSOCIATION.

I have received a communication from the Corresponding Secretary of the State Poultry Association, and have no doubt but that if suitable arrangements are made for their exhibition, and proper inducements offered in the way of premiums they would exhibit at our annual fair. I would recommend that a committee be appointed to correspond with the Secretary of the State Poultry Association in regard to their exhibiting with this society at the annual fair.

AMENDMENTS.

The Michigan State Agricultural Society is organized by a special act of Legislature. I would recommend that a committee be appointed to draft a memorial to our Legislature praying for certain amendments to this act. One is that the name of the society be changed by adding the word "mechanical," so that it will read "The Michigan State Agricultural and Mechanical Society." Also that the election of officers and directors shall take place at the annual meeting; that the directors be so chosen that each congressional district will be represented; also that the President shall not be allowed to hold his office more than two years in succession. These changes I consider important, and will tend to advance an increased interest in agriculture and manufactures.

ANNUAL FAIR.

In conclusion, gentlemen, it is hoped the next annual fair will not only be the fair of the two great agricultural societies of the State, now consolidated, but that we shall unite with us the State Pomological Society, and also, if it can be done, the State Poultry Association, thus forming a grand consolidated or union fair. I hope measures will be taken by this board to bring out a full representation of the industries of the State, including not only agriculture and manufactures, but also mining. I would recommend that committees be appointed, consisting of the entire board (officers and directors); that each

one shall have a district apportioned to himself for the purpose of interviewing every manufacturer in his district, requesting that they will exhibit samples of their manufacture at our next annual fair, and if possible to obtain a pledge to that effect. If we only make the proper effort, the industries of the State will be represented by an exhibition equal to any State fair ever held in the United States.

ADDRESS.

G. W. GRIGGS.

The special committee on President's address, through Mr. Baxter, chairman, reported as follows:

1st. That so much thereof as refers to amendments to the constitution and by-laws of this society be referred to a special committee of three, to recommend such amendments as they deem advisable, and report as soon as possible, that the matter may be brought before the Legislature in time for action at the present session.

2d. That so much as refers to the place of holding the next fair be referred to a special committee, elected by the board, which committee shall visit the various localities asking for such fairs, and report at adjourned meeting of the board, for action of full board.

3d. So much as refers to Pomological Society and its exhibition be referred to special committee of three, to communicate with the officers of such society and report such action as seems advisable.

4th. That a like committee with like duties be appointed with reference to State Poultry Association.

5th. That so much as refers to Philadelphia Centennial be referred to a special committee of three, to recommend such action as may be deemed advisable.

6th. That so much as refers to length of next fair be referred to committee of the whole.

7th. That so much as refers to a State Entomologist be referred to a special committee of three, to report at once such action as is deemed advisable for the action of this board.

Report received and adopted, and committee discharged.

President Griggs announced the committees as per above, as follows: On Amendments to Constitution-Messrs. Bagley, Dean, and Hyde. Locating Committee, elected by Board-Messrs. Sterling, Hanford, Brown, Allison, Beckwith, Humphrey, Dean, and the Secretary.

On Pomological Society and State Poultry Association-Messrs. Griggs, Kimball, and Manning.

On Philadelphia Centennial-Messrs. Beckwith, Bagley, and Brown.
On State Entomologist-Messrs. Whitney, Manning, and Green.

Mayor Ortman and Hon. John G. Owen of East Saginaw were introduced to the committee and addressed it, setting forth the offer of East Saginaw to the State Society, and explaining its advantages for accommodating the State Fair the present year.

Hon. Henry Fralick submitted the written proposition of Grand Rapids to the Society, for holding the next annual fair at Grand Rapids, which was referred to the viewing committee.

Mr. Thompson, Secretary of the State Pomological Society, was invited and addressed the board eloquently in favor of Pomology.