hold and dairy products, canned fruits, needle and fancy work, manufactured articles, agricultural implements, etc., was especially commendable, and elicited universal praise. Among the specialties deserving particular notice, was the class devoted to the display of the genus homo, in his incipient or pupa state, embracing, if I may be allowed the expression, one of the most important branches in the line of household production. The question is often asked, "What is a home without children ?" and I might well add another query, "What would our fair have been without the babies?" That they stand as the crowning excellence, and ought to have a place in all well regulated families, is, I believe, generally conceded that they were the means of putting money in our purse is undeniable. The experiences of the last two years clearly demonstrate the value of some special feature of attraction to enlist the attention and general interest of the public. What that shall be for the coming year it does not fall within my province at this time to suggest. The plan adopted by our society at the last fair, for the first time, of attaching the premium ribbons and cards by the committees to animals or article. awarded prizes, at the time of the examinations, seems to have given general satisfaction, and obviates the necessity of a declaration from the stand. Few mistakes occurred, yet great care should be taken by committeemen, that having placed a badge indicating their decision upon any animal or article in their division, they at once make the proper marks opposite the entry in their respective books, so that the official report, when made up, shall correspond and be in accord with their doings. Such of us as have had any considerable experience in the management of agricultural societies are familiar with the various contingencies and obstacles to success. It seems difficult for the people to understand that it is their society, and not that of the officers; that if they ask liberal things, they must be willing to contribute the necessary means to accomplish such a result. It may be said that what we most need is some plan or device whereby a society can pay a large amount in premiums, and exempt the public from any species of taxation for the same. No such discovery having been made public as yet, we have relied entirely upon the patronage and good will of the people of the county, and we thank them for the generous support accorded us during the past year. The amount awarded in premiums at the fair of 1874, in the respective divisions, was as follows: The following summary statement shows the total receipts and disbursements for the fair of 1874: Balance in the treasury January 16, 1875, including forfeitures... 520 73 $3,573 87 There is now in the hands of Wm. H. McCourtie, as Treasurer of the society, to the credit of said society, the following sums, to-wit: Financially, as well as otherwise, the fair was a success, and this should encourage and stimulate to renewed efforts for the coming year. Respectfully submitted, FRANK LITTLE, Secretary. Kalamazoo, Jan. 16, 1875. The Secretary then offered the report in reference to the farm of C. E. Morrison, Esq., of Pavilion, duly entered for premium last year under the rule, as follows: Report of the products of the farm for the year 1874: Fifty-seven acres of wheat, threshed, 1,333 bushels; 31 acres to be 2,213 40 Four acres new-ground corn, 200 baskets, @ 40c per basket.... 478 80 80 00 One acre potatoes, 123 baskets, @ 50c. Sold pasturage for horses... Estimated value of stalks and straw for feeding growth of pork, on pasture, and five cows... Total.... Fifty per cent estimated as expense account, $2,394 98. $61 50 40 00 250 00 $4,789 96 In this report no allowance is made for grain fed on the farm, nor is there any account made of pork sold, that the corn might not be entered twice. Of the beef entered as grown on the farm two were raised on the farm, one old cow bought, but offset by a young cow just coming into milk. No estimate is made on the growth of sheep, nor account taken of the fat sheep sold, but as an offset have included the whole wool clip. C. E. MORRISON. The society then proceeded to an election of officers for the ensuing year by ballot, which resulted as follows: President, W. H. Cobb; Secretary, Frank Little; Treasurer, W. H. McCourtier. A committee consisting of the Secretary and Messrs. Milham, Neasmith, Snow, and Adams was chosen to nominate candidates for office of executive committee for the full term of two years. The committee reported the following names of persons for said office, and they were unanimously chosen as executive committee: A. N. LeFever, Climax; L. H. Trask, Kalamazoo; Orrin Snow, Oshtemo; J. N. Stearns, Kalamazoo. President Cobb then announced that general business would be in order, and hoped that gentlemen present, of which there were a large number from all parts of the county, would express themselves freely upon any subject connected with the society, and make any suggestions they might deem advisable. The secretary, Mr. Little, brought up the subject of suitable fair grounds for the permanent use of the society, and the apparent insecurity of the present situation. He believed that grounds ought to be secured at once, under pledge of appropriating the annual earnings of the society in payment; and thought that the farmers of the county, by the organization of a proper association, would be willing to advance the necessary funds. He stated that the gross earnings of the society for the past two years, over and above contingent expenses and premiums, not deducting the amount paid to Mr. Reed, owner of the National Park, were $1,682 90. Mr. J. D. Adams of Climax had always been in favor of owning grounds. Thought they ought to be purchased and paid for by a tax upon the people of the county. Said we, the people of the county, owned splendid grounds already, the County Poor Farm,-admirably adapted to such a purpose: why not go there at once? Hon. E. R. Miller of Richland said: We can all see what a mistake was made in not buying grounds years ago when land was cheap. Thought this was an important question, and moved "that the executive committee of this society, as soon as practicable, take the subject of purchasing suitable grounds under advisement, and report at some future meeting." This was adopted. Hon. J. M. Neasmith of Schoolcraft suggested that a certain time should be set apart upon the programme of the fair for the sale of live stock and commodities. He also thought that some of the classes of horses were too large, imposing too much labor upon the viewing committees. Hon. Álex. Čameron of Kalamazoo approved of the suggestion of Mr. Neasmith in regard to a time for the sale of animals, etc. He also stated that there had been complaints of laxity in relation to the admission of foreign stock in competition at the fairs, and would call the attention of the officers to that point. Mr. Ingerson of Cooper stated that there was a difficulty about holding animals and articles after the distribution of the premium ribbons and cards, until the close of the fair. Such as had won prizes had no further inducement to stay, and such as had not were bound to get away as soon as possible. Thought the prizes might be withheld until near the close of the fair. He favored having but three days for holding the fair. Mr. Thos. F. Miller of Richland thought that the long-wooled and finewooled sheep ought to be placed upon an equality in respect to amount of premiums offered. The long-wools were valuable sheep every way: they were steadily growing in popular favor, and he hoped they would receive a proper recognition. Mr. Henry King of Comstock said that he thought the matter of the distribution of prize badges before the fair closed could be left safely in the hands of the executive board. He had no doubt that they would give the subject proper consideration. A vote of thanks was unanimously extended to Mr. Wm. Strong of Grand Prairie for a plate of Isabella grapes, in an excellent state of preservation, which he had kindly placed upon the president's desk for the benefit of the officers and members of the society. The secretary announced that copies of the Michigan State Board of Agriculture for 1872, and of the State Pomological Society for 1873, were upon the table, and members were invited to accept a copy of each. It is encouraging to know that the farmers of the county are taking so much interest in their society, and that such a large number of representative men in the profession were present, and participated in the business of the meeting. We think it safe to say that the future of the society is now fully assured, and we wish it abundant success. After disposing of the grapes in the usual manner, the society adjourned. NEWAYGO COUNTY. At the second annual fair of the Newaygo County Agricultural Society, held on the new grounds of the society at Newaygo Oct. 8th, 9th, and 10th, the amount received for membership tickets and entry fees was about $1,000. During the past year the sum of $3,000 has been expended upon buildings by the society and by the Driving Park Association upon the track. A splendid one-half mile track has been built by the association, which in a short time will not be excelled by any in the State. Considering the lateness of the season before the premium list was issued (only two weeks before the fair), and before it was fully determined to purchase new grounds and continue the annual fairs, there was a good attendance, and the entries and receipts were fully up to expectations. The amount of premiums awarded amount to about $500. Many improvements will be made next season upon the grounds and buildings. The officers elected for the ensuing year were: President, Nelson Higbee ; Secretary, Sanford Brown. OAKLAND COUNTY. The executive committee of the Oakland County Agricultural Society submit their twenty-sixth annual report, for the year 1874. The twenty-sixth annual meeting for the election of officers was held Jan. 16th, at which meeting Edwin Phelps was chosen president, and Noah Tyler re-elected secretary. The work of preparation for the coming exhibition was vigorously prosecuted by the officers, in revising the premium list, arranging the various attractions by which to draw a large attendance, and advertising the same. Substantial permanent improvements were also undertaken, in the erection of a new floral hall of modern design and architecture, which, when completed, added very materially to the convenience of exhibitors, and not a little to the general success of the exhibition. It is in the form of a Maltese cross, each projection measuring 24x72 feet, costing $904. Unlike that of many years previous, the weather for the three days of the fair, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, Sept. 23d, 24th, and 25th, was most propitious. The number of entries was unusually large, and the attendance equal, if not greater than that of any previous year. The total receipts were $4,241 20. Expenses for the year, including matured bonds and interest on coupons, $2,588 81, leaving a net profit for the year of $1,652 39. In some departments the exhibition was not so good as on former occasions, while in others it was far superior. In horned cattle the entries were not so numerous, and the display, although very fair, was not quite up to the standard. The show of horses, however, was never better. The quality of grain was most excellent, and the exhibition of vegetables good. In fruit, particularly of the finer grades, the display was quite meagre.. With the exceptions noted, the fair for 1874 was most successful. Pontiac, Dec. 31st, 1874. Very respectfully, NOAH TYLER, Secretary. TUSCOLA COUNTY. We submit the following report upon the general condition of agriculture, horticulture, manufactures, and kindred matters in the county of Tuscola, for the year 1874 : |