be made. After a full discussion, the committee instructed the chairman to report as he did Feb. 15, 1871. This report largely adopted the views and conclusions of the special commission in regard to needed improvements in the penal and reformatory institutions of the State, and also in regard to proposed aid for dependent children. The following language was then used in this report, which was the first appearance of the subject in that or any previous Legislature: "Your committee also recommend that among the institutions of this State there be established, at an early day, a State Public School, after the plan of that in Massachusetts, for the maintenance and education of indigent children. This class is now generally kept in our poor-houses, which are unfit places in which to rear and educate boys and girls, and whence it cannot be expected they will go bettered in mind and morals. It would be a noble work for the State to do, and it is to be hoped that it will soon take them in its fostering care." When this report was drawn the writer was not aware that the Massachusetts institution recommended, was partially penal and reformatory.

At this same time the association of ex-soldiers, known as the Grand Army of the Republic, were making efforts to have the Legislature establish an asylum for the children of deceased and indigent soldiers. The leading men of the Grand Army, however, readily assented to the suggestion that the proposed institution should be open to all the dependent children of the State, and thus another and a powerful influence was added to those tending in the direction of the proposed institution.

The special commission appointed by Governor Baldwin, though presenting very convincing testimony and strong arguments, accompanied them with no bill as the embodiment of their scheme in regard to legislation for the benefit of the class of children referred to. The joint committee of the Senate and House in its first report, though presenting other bills at that time, presented none for the benefit of dependent children. But subsequently in the session, Mr. Randall, after giving the subject as careful a study as he could, became strongly impressed with the idea that it was time the State should assume control of these children. The first fifty days of the session, after which no bills could be introduced, were rapidly drawing to a close, when, without the aid of precedents, for none existed for the institution desired, he prepared such a plan as to him seemed nearest right as an educational preventive project based on our common-school system, having no regard to our penal or reformatory systems. Reports of commissions of various States, especially in Ohio and Massachusetts, furnished useful suggestions, but not a basis for the organic law of the proposed school, for they all treated of institutions of a mixed character, partly penal or reformatory, none having treated of an institution purely preventive, beginning with children before they had become criminal.

Michigan already had a reform school, so there was no good reason for establishing one of a mixed character. Mr. Randall felt that governments, through all ages, had never treated the dependent-children question correctly. The poor-house, the work-house, the industrial schools have always, especially in England, received the innocent and criminal alike, and put them under the same treatment,

with the same associations. Under this régime, dependent children became criminals, and the governments, not as a remedy, but as a necessity, erected large and expensive reformatories and prisons, to reform or punish those whom earlier preventive treatment, in all probability, would have saved to a better fate. As education was conceded to be the best preventive of pauperism and crime, especially when assisted by moral and religious training, it was Mr. Randall's aim, in drafting the plan of the proposed school, to construct the scheme directly on the educational basis of our common-school system, combining temporary support of the younger dependent children in a home under the supervision of the State during minority. On that plan, accordingly, was the bill drawn,-a plan disconnected entirely from our penal system, so that no taint of crime or sentence, or suspension of sentence, should attach to any inmate; so that none in after-life should ever have cause to blush that he or she had been a ward of the State in a school where the house had been built and the school maintained by the same system of taxation that supports the common schools of the State.

The law thus drawn was on the 22d day of February, 1871, the last day of the session for introducing bills, presented in the Senate and referred to the joint committee. On the 3d day of March, after a full discussion of its provisions, the chairman, by the unanimous instruction of his committee, returned the bill to the Senate with a recommendation for its passage.

This measure soon found in the Legislature many friends and no active opponents. While it was under consideration the following gentlemen visited Lansing, and in public addresses favored it, viz.: Z. R. Brockway, Esq., Hon. C. I. Walker; Rev. E. C. Wines, D.D., LL.D., the noted philanthropist of international reputation; Rev. Dr. Mahan, president of Adrian College; and Rev. Dr. Gillespie, now bishop of the Protestant Episcopal diocese of Western Michigan. No address was made in either House in opposition to the bill. It had in the main been recommended by the special commission, by the joint committee, and the press. On its final passage in the Senate there were twenty-three ayes and four noes. In the House there were seventy-three ayes and ten noes. It received the signature of Governor Baldwin on the 17th of April, and thus was established what is believed to be the first government institution ever established exclusively for the children of the poor to which poverty alone gives admission.

The law appropriated thirty thousand dollars to the school, and commissioners were appointed to locate it, erect the buildings, and take charge of the institution. The first commissioners were Gov. H. P. Baldwin, ex officio, C. E. Mickley, and N. G. Isbell. Messrs J. S. Barber, C. D. Randall, and Dr. S. S. Cutter were afterward members of the board of commissioners. In 1874 the board of commissioners was superseded by a "board of control" of three members, appointed by the Governor and Senate for six years, one every two years. The first members were C. E. Mickley, President; C. D. Randall, Secretary and Treasurer; and Dr. S. S. Cutter.

The beautiful site, salubrious climate, and pleasant surroundings of Coldwater marked that city as a proper loca

tion for the proposed institution, and when, in addition, the citizens donated a site for the school and twenty-five thousand dollars in cash, the commissioners had no hesitation in locating it at that point.

The site chosen was on an eminence a mile north of the centre of the city, and just outside of the corporate limits, commanding a fine view of the city and its suburbs, and of a wide-spread succession of smiling fields, stretching far up and down the fertile valley of the Coldwater.

A further appropriation was made by the Legislature in 1873, and the buildings were ready for use in May, 1874. These consisted of the main or "administrative" building, which was in the shape of a cross, three stories high besides the basement, having a frontage of one hundred and ninetyeight feet, and in the central part a depth of one hundred and seventy-five feet. In this were located the rooms for the superintendent and his family, and other officers, receptionrooms, dining-room, school-rooms, shoe-shop, sleeping-rooms for the employees, etc. Near it were several "cottages," as they are called, although they were two stories high, and their dimensions were nearly forty feet by thirty. These were designed to accommodate thirty children each, under the charge of a lady manager; the lower stories of each being fitted with a room for the manager, sitting-rooms for the children, and a bath-room, while the upper story was divided into dormitories for the children. All the buildings were of brick.

From this it will be seen that the plan of the institution was of a mixed description, containing, as is believed, so far as possible, the benefits of the congregate system with that of separate families. This plan has been continued till the present time, and no doubts have been expressed but that it is the best that can be employed.

The school was opened on the 21st of May, 1874, with Zelotes Truesdell as superintendent. The law provided for the admission of children between three and fourteen years of age, on the certificate of the judge of probate of the county from which each might come, only to be issued to dependent children, ascertained to be of sound mind and free from any chronic or infectious disease. They were to remain at the school until sixteen, provided homes could not be found for them before that time in private families. After the children were sixteen the board of control was vested with discretion to retain them in the school or return them to their counties.

As soon as the school was opened the children were rapidly sent in from all parts of the State, and in less than a year the accommodations of the buildings were exhausted. Further legislative aid was obtained during the session of 1875, and during the following summer several new cottages were erected, bringing the whole number up to eight, besides a hospital. The latter was forty-eight feet by thirty-three, while the new cottages were forty by thirtythree. Like the first buildings, these were also of brick. As thus increased, the buildings accommodated two hundred and fifty children.

In July, 1875, Mr. Lyman P. Alden, a college graduate and a successful man of business, was appointed superintendent, and having shown marked ability in the position, has been retained in it ever since.

From that time to this, the school has continued to perform its beneficent functions with great regularity, apparently succeeding most admirably in the purposes for which it was instituted.

About one-third of the children are too small to work, but every child large enough has some work to occupy it from two to three hours per day, either on the farm, in the laundry, shoe-shop, sewing-room, knitting-room, or in performing some domestic work. Each child attends school from four to five hours per day, and the very best and most experienced teachers are employed. Only the common English branches are taught. Telegraphy has lately been introduced, and bright children who are physically too weak to labor on the farm, or who have been in some way crippled, are so instructed as to become self-supporting. All of the larger boys are taught the manual of arms, and are furnished with carbines.

The food is simple and plain but of the best quality of its kind, and the variety is sufficient to stimulate the appetite. A garden of eighteen acres furnishes a large amount of vegetables for the use of the institution. About seven hundred bushels of apples were grown on the farm last year, but not enough to supply the school with all that could be used to advantage. A few cows are kept on the grounds, but not enough to supply the wants of the school, as there is but little pasture, and over one thousand dollars' worth of milk is purchased each year.

The moral culture of the children receives proper attention in both the cottages and the school-rooms, and religious services are held for them every Sunday in the chapel, being conducted by the superintendent, assisted by ladies and gentlemen of various religious denominations from the city. The older boys, in charge of a teacher or manager, attend services each Sabbath at one or another of the city churches.

The boys wear a plain, coarse, but neat uniform dress, consisting of dark jacket and gray trousers; the girls are habited in an equally plain costume suited to their sex. The children of both sexes have a hearty, healthy, cleanly look, as different as can well be imagined from the depressed appearance of many of the youthful inmates of almshouses, and which has come to be known as a "poor-house look." The health of the children is above the average. No ailment, however slight, is treated at the cottages; the invalid, on the appearance of the first symptoms of disease, being removed to the hospital. By far the greater portion, however, are speedily returned cured, without the administration of medicine, through the employment of a proper hygienic regimen. During the year closing September 30, 1878, there were only two deaths among over four hundred children who were in the institution; the average constant membership being about three hundred.

As before stated, the object of the school is to furnish temporary support and instruction to the children until they can be placed in families which are willing to take them. The Governor has appointed agents in some thirty of the principal counties of the State to find homes for the children, and to see that they are well treated when placed in them. The superintendent also acts as the agent of the school in regard to this branch of the work. By these

means, and by the voluntary application of citizens, a large part of the children are provided for in that manner. Numerous letters are received from agents and guardians regarding the children thus cared for, generally showing favorable results; though sometimes serious faults are discovered in the children, and sometimes harsh treatment is inflicted by those who should be their protectors.

The children thus sent away from the institution are also encouraged to write to the superintendent, and many of their letters are decidedly interesting in their childish simplicity. From those published verbatim et literatim, in the last report of the board of control, we select two, one apparently by a girl, and the other by a boy:

"February 4, 1878. "DEAR SIR: I sit down to write you a few lines to let you know that I am well, and getting along very nicely. Now I will tell you all about it. I think that I have got A good home. I am going to try to keep my place this time. They have been very kind to me and I will try to please them, I have great deal of fun. They have got a little boy here. He makes lots of fun. I like him very mutch. He is a nice little boy. She is a very nice lady. She has a great deal of company and she has got a great many kind friends. They all seem to be glad to see her. He is a nice man. They have got a young man. He is always getting off something to make fun. they are all good christian people. they have got a very pleasant place. We all go to church but we did not go to-night because she was sick. This lady's sister thinks of coming out there to get A girl not over ten years old. She will have a good home for her. She has got an organ and she wants one that can learn to play. I like my home very mutch. I cannot think of anything more to write so good by to all. "MH."

"December 12, 1877.

"DEAR MR. ALDEN-I received your nice letter some time ago and was very much pleased with it. Should have answered it before this had there not been so much sickness in the family. I like it here. There are two children in the family-a little boy 16 months old (his name is Burtie) and a girl four years old, her name is Mertie; she goes with me to feed the calf and hogs. I used to see Robbert Gambol at Sunday school, but I guess he has ran away. Henry Huntly is in this place. I go to school-like my teacher ever so well. I belong to the singing school, but can't read notes yet. My guardian let me husk corn on shares; I have got 12 bushels. I am going to buy a pig and feed it. I helped put in the wheat last fall, and I have 14 acres of my own. I was to visit you about two weeks ago, but you was not there. I saw all the new buildings; think it looks nice. If you get a letter from all the children it will keep you busy reading, so I guess I will not write much. Will close by hoping you will send a nice letter again sometime.

Since 1875 there has been but one cottage added, but this is a large one, sheltering sixty children, so that now full three hundred are cared for in the institution. A new building for an engine-house and laundry has also been erected lately.

The whole number of children received into the institution down to the 1st day of February, 1879, was six hundred and ninety, of whom three hundred and ten had been placed in families. Four hundred and twelve were cared for last year, including those placed out during the time; the expense for each being eighty-one dollars and sixty-seven cents, which is stated to be very little more than it would have been in poor-houses.

The principal employees of the institution are the superintendent, matron, clerk, teachers, cottage managers, and hospital manager. A complete but simple set of rules has been prescribed for their government, and the management of the institution seems to go on with great smoothness considering the number and age of the children. Though corporeal punishment is not absolutely interdicted, yet great care is taken that it shall not be harshly or needlessly administered, and we believe no complaint has ever been made that such is the case.

Such is the history and some of the characteristics of the "Michigan State Public School for Dependent Children,"― an institution which is certainly unique in its character, and which its friends believe is destined to take the lead in an important reformation in the treatment of such children throughout this country if not throughout the world.

The State Public School exhibit at the Centennial formed a quarto volume, including the papers by Messrs. Randall and Alden, mentioned at the beginning of this chapter, embracing a lithographic view of the buildings, ten photographic views (exteriors and interiors), plan of cottages, plan of grounds, outline plan of all the buildings, annual reports of the boards of control for 1874 to 1875, etc.

Upon the exhibit thus made, a diploma and medal were awarded. No other institution having any resemblance to this received an award.

The following is the text of the report of the judges, as accepted by the United States Centennial Commission, and in conformity with which an award of diploma and medal was decreed to the State Public School: "The undersigned, having examined the product herein described, respectfully recommend the same to the United States Commission for award, for the following reasons, viz. For the exhibit of plans, drawings, historical sketches and reports, showing the advantage of the separation of children untainted by crime from those more properly cared for in a reformatory institution; for the adaptation of the separate house- or cottagesystem to the needs of said State Public School; and for the evidence of thoughtful planning and careful work in the establishment." The report of the judges and diploma adorn the walls of the principal office of the school, and the medal is carefully preserved in the library.

We close with a list of the present officers and employees of the institution,-Board of Control: Hon. James Burns, President, Detroit; Hon. Henry H. Hinds, Stanton; Hon. C. D. Randall, Secretary and Treasurer, Coldwater. Superintendent, Lyman P. Alden. Clerk and Steward, Daniel G. Blackman. Matron, Mrs. Lena P. Alden. Cottage Managers, Mrs. Lucretia Champlin, Mrs. Martha Bissell, Mrs. Agnes McCollum, Mrs. Sarah Watson, Mrs. Fannie Russell, Miss Sarah D. Parsons, Miss Jennie Hall, Mrs. Ann Glynn, Miss Hattie L. Evarts, Miss Sarah Ten Eyck. Teachers, Miss Anna Sanderson, Miss Anna French, Miss Ella Cretors, Miss Lucelia E. Staples, Miss Frances C. Staples, Miss Florence McCollum. Hospital Manager, Miss Agnes Walter. Attending Physician, Dr. S. S. Cutter.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

COUNTY SOCIETIES.

Branch County Agricultural Society-First Meeting-First OfficersFirst Fair-Premiums on Stock-Premiums Awarded to LadiesThe Fair in 1853-Extension of Fair in 1854-New Features in 1855-Permanent Fair-Ground-Legal Incorporation in 1857-Adjournment in 1861-Seant Premiums in 1862-A New Fair-Ground -A Sheep-Shearing Festival-Building of Floral Hall-Receipts in Various Years-More Land-Present Officers-List of Presidents-The County Grange-Its Organization--First Officers' Meetings-Object-Branch County Pioneer Society-The Bar Association-First Officers-Object.

BRANCH COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

THE first meeting looking to the formation of an agricultural society in Branch County was held, pursuant to notice, on the 17th day of October, 1851, Asahel Brown being chosen president, and E. B. Pond secretary. F. V. Smith, Alvarado Brown, and J. B. Tompkins were appointed a committee to draft a constitution, while John Root, Darwin Wilson, Oliver Burdick, Jr., and William P. Arnold were made a committee to nominate officers for the proposed association. They made the following nominations, which were confirmed by the meeting: President, James B. Tompkins; Vice-President, John Allen; Secretary, F. V. Smith; Treasurer, H. W. Wright.

A corresponding secretary was also named in each township, as follows: Butler, Jason Bowen; Quincy, Elijah Leland; Algansee, Asahel Brown; California, Israel R. Hall; Ovid, Daniel; Girard, Solomon L. Lawrence; Union, J. C. Leonard; Batavia, Joseph Peterson; Bethel, E. B. Williams; Gilead, Emerson Marsh; Noble, Darwin Wilson; Bronson, John Holmes; Mattison, John Culver; Sherwood, B. F. Ferris.

A constitution was also adopted for the government of the society. By its association the society was to be called the Branch County Agricultural Society, its design being declared to be to promote improvement in agriculture and the kindred arts. There was to be an executive committee, consisting of the president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, and two other members, who were to have the general management of the affairs of the society. The officers already chosen were to hold office until the first annual meeting, which was fixed for the 11th of November of that year. It was provided that any person might become a member by paying one dollar, and might continue so by paying half a dollar annually. The payment of five dollars made the payer a life-member, and authorized him to attend the annual meetings of the executive committee and participate in the discussions.

The first annual meeting was held at the time mentioned above, when the following permanent officers were chosen : President, J. B. Tompkins; Vice-President, William Smith; Secretary, F. V. Smith; Treasurer, Elijah Leland; Executive Committee, Daniel Wilson and L. P. Austin. Corresponding secretaries were again named, most of those before designated being selected.

The first annual fair of the society was held at Coldwater village, on the 7th of October, 1852. The whole sum appropriated for premiums was only two hundred dollars.

Joseph R. Williams, of Constantine, St. Joseph Co., was chosen to deliver the first address.

Brief and meagre indeed was the premium-list. Among the premiums offered were the following:

Class 1, short-horns: for the best bull, three years old or over, $3; for the best cow, $3.

Class 2, Devons: the same premiums.

Class 3, grades: the same.

Class 4, natives: the same.

Class 5, working oxen and steers: best yoke oxen, four years old, $2; best five yoke, from one town, $3; best yoke three-year old steers, $1; best two-year old steers, $1.

Class 6, fat cattle: best steer or ox, copy Michigan Far

mer.

Class 7, horses: best stallion for all work, four years old, $2 and Rural New Yorker; best brood-mare, four years old, $1 and Rural New Yorker, etc.

The premium offered for the best cultivated and managed farm in the county was a set of silver teaspoons worth $6.

When the time came, the executive committee had their headquarters in the court-house, while the crowd and the exhibits occupied the ground outside. Members, their wives, and their children under eighteen were admitted on the fiftycent tickets of the members, while single tickets were placed at the moderate price of ten cents.

The principal awards to ladies at this first fair were the following: To Miss C. H. Williams, for best salt-rising bread, "Miss Leslie's Receipt Book"; to Mrs. E. Chapman, for best hop-rising bread, same; to Mrs. L. R. Austin, best milk-rising bread, the same; to Mrs. J. G. Brooks, ten pounds butter, $2 and copy "Modern Housewife"; to Mrs. Jane Lee, for best variety of wines, jellies, cakes, etc., copy "Modern Housewife"; to Mrs. Roland Root, for best cheese, copy "Modern Housewife"; to Mrs. L. D. Crippen, for best catsup of domestic manufacture; to Mrs. Horace Lewis, for best ten yards white flannel; to Mrs. W. H. Hanchett, best ten yards rag carpet; to Mrs. A. Chandler, best pair knit stockings; to Mrs. E. Martin, best patch-work quilt; to Mrs. E. G. Parsons, for best specimen worsted work; to Mrs. N. T. Waterman, best worked collars; to Mrs. L. D. Crippen, for best variety of dahlias; to Mrs. J. H. Beach, for best variety of house-plants; to Mrs. Edward Chapman, best dressed flannel; to Mrs. D. C. Morehouse, best pair linen stockings; to Mrs. N. D. Sykes, assortment needle-work; to Mrs. F. V. Smith, same; to Mrs. O. R. Clark, for beautiful, white, quilted spread; to Mrs. C. B. Fisk, for worsted work; to Mrs. S. M. Denison, for woolen stockings; to Miss Harriett A. Crippen, for beautiful embroidered shoes; to Miss R. A. Champion, for gent's dressing-gown; to Mrs. H. N. Hubbard, for one coverlid; to Mrs. C. B. Fisk, for a parlor bouquet; to Miss Amelia Noyes, for the same; to Mrs. David Rice, ten yards yarn carpet; to Mrs. T. J. Webb, for fancy work-box; Mrs. W. H. Hanchett, one coral card-basket; Mrs. J. R. Hall, one pair worked ottomans; Mrs. E. G. Parsons, one footstool.

The prize for the best farm was given to Elijah Leland, of Quincy.

From these modest beginnings the progress has been slow but steady up to the present time. At the second fair, in

1853, four hundred dollars were allotted for premiums, and the prizes for the best cattle were advanced to five dollars. Hon. Charles E. Stewart delivered the address. The provision in the constitution for corresponding secretaries in each town was stricken out.

In 1854 the time of the fair was extended to three days. The premiums remained at about the same size as the year before, but a larger number were offered.

In 1855 two or three new features were introduced, premiums being offered for the best performances on the piano, melodeon, and dulcimer, and also for the best specimens of female horsemanship, both in riding on horseback and in driving one or two horses.

At the annual meeting, in 1854, it was resolved to buy land for a permanent fair-ground. A bargain was accordingly made with Mr. Bradley Crippen to purchase six acres on the Battle Creek road, near the north line of the village of Coldwater, the price being seven hundred dollars,two hundred in cash, and the rest in three equal annual payments. As the society was not legally incorporated it could not hold land itself, and the contract was made by Darwin Wilson to hold the tract in question in trust.

In 1857 the society was incorporated, the official authority being vested in a president, secretary, treasurer, and five directors. The first officers under the new organization were Asahel Brown, President; Hiram R. Alden, Secretary; C. B. Fisk, Treasurer; and Samuel Morey, Philo Porter, Lyman Millett, Jas. Clisbee, and Oliver Burdick, Jr., Directors.

At the fair in 1857 no prizes were offered for female horsemanship, but several ladies volunteered to grace the occasion. The judges praised their proficiency, and also gave thanks to Capt. Andrews and the members of the Coldwater Light Artillery, for the gentlemanly escort afforded by them to the ladies. Some perhaps laughed at the military semblance of the gallant militiamen; but when the time of trial came nearly every man of the Coldwater Light Artillery was to be found in front of the foe.

The report made in June, 1858, showed that the whole receipts during the second year of the society's existence were two hundred and seventy-one dollars and nine cents, while in 1857 they had increased to nine hundred and sixty-nine dollars and seventy-one cents. At that time (1858) the association numbered five hundred and fifty actual members. There was then a debt of two hundred and fiftyseven dollars,—one hundred and forty dollars being still due on the land contract and one hundred and seven dollars for fencing.

At the fair of 1858 new buildings were found necessary, and were erected. There were six hundred and forty-seven entries, but on account of bad weather the number of membership-tickets was comparatively small. The annual membership-fee was raised to one dollar, where it has been continued ever since.

There were fairs held in 1859 and 1860, but there is no record of them on the books.

In 1861 the attention of the people was so completely taken up by the great war, and so many of the active young farmers had gone forth to meet their country's enemies, that it was determined to adjourn the fair till the next year.

In 1862 a fair was held, but the society seems to have been very much cramped for money, judging from a resolution passed by the board of directors. It provided that the treasurer should pay, first, the current expenses of that year for labor, etc., next the debts of the society, and last the premiums which might be awarded. This left but a poor chance for the prize-takers, but they were allowed the privilege of applying the unpaid amounts in membershiptickets the next year.

In 1863 the number of directors was increased to six,— these being elected for two years, the terms of three expiring each year. It was about this time that the society sold its land on Grand Street, and bought twenty acres on Marshall Street, near the north line of the city of Coldwater, that is, the Agricultural Society and the Horse. Breeders' Association bought it in company, the former fitting up the track and grand stand, while the latter fenced the ground, built walls, etc. This arrangement has been maintained till the present time.

In 1864 the exigencies of the war, then in the very crisis of decision, again prevented the holding of either a fair or an annual meeting.

Just after the close of the war the jubilant farmers, whose sons and brothers were then returning home by the hundreds, held a peculiar festival under the auspices of the authorities of the association. It was called a sheep-shearing festival, and occurred on the 7th of June of that year. Premiums were offered for the best sheep and one of five dollars for the best shearer. A large number of shearers attended with their sheep, but probably the trouble was thought to be greater than the enjoyment or profit, for the scene was not repeated.

The following year, 1866, a large hall was built for the exhibition of flowers, fruits, and other delicate products, and called Floral Hall. The cost was about two thousand four hundred dollars.

This year a premium of ten dollars was offered for the best span of draft horses, while the prizes for choice cattle were somewhat reduced. The total receipts were about eight hundred dollars.

The institution was now well started on the road to success; and in 1867 the receipts were much larger than the year before, and the debts of the association were nearly paid up. In 1867 the total receipts were fourteen hundred and twenty-seven dollars and ninety-nine cents; of which nearly a thousand dollars was applied in payment of debts. This necessarily involved a very meagre premium list, and the next year the receipts fell to three hundred and ninetythree dollars and forty-seven cents. A very decided effort was made to improve on this situation, a judicious premium list was offered, and the affairs of the institution were again put in the proper train.

In 1871 the number of the board of directors (quite as commonly called the executive committee) was increased to ten, the terms of five expiring every year.

From this time to the present the society has been prosperous both in regard to its financial condition and as to the interest excited among the farmers. In 1875 the receipts amounted to $1809.31; in 1876, to $2968.84; in 1877, to $2983.70; and in 1878, $2682.71. For the last four