and Coal; with our facilities for getting out, and transporting these to any desirable market. It has been my endeavor to collect and condense into as narrow limits as possible, and present in the following pages, such information respecting our resources as the people are seeking for, and the Constitution of the Society makes it incumbent upon me to give. Yet, I am fully aware that I have fallen far short of giving a full statement especting the salubrity of our climate, the natural fertility of our soil, our rich mineral deposits or our means of transportation by water, as well as by rail, plank, and other roads. The Agricultural Society has had a happy influence upon the agricultural interests of the State. It has given an impetus to a worthy desire among farmers, to excel in the cultivation of the soil and the raising of stock. There are now in this State many superior specimens of improved breeds of horses, neat cattle, sheep, swine and poultry. Indeed, Michigan is becoming proverbial for her fine stock, as well as for her wheat and other crops. Michigan is a peninsula of latent wealth, cropping out and inviting men to come and assist in developing it. We have a profusion of iron, copper, silver, coal, lime, plaster, salt and timber; a healthy climate, pure water and a generous soil. We think we possess much that is inviting to the industrious, and but little that can be repulsive to any but the indolent and vicious. Activity, energy, and good will are the order of the day in Michigan; consequently, neither indolence or vice can flourish here. With these remarks I refer you to the following pages: Very respectfully, J. C. HOLMES, Sec'y Mich. State Ag'l Society. LEGISLATIVE ENACTMENTS. AN ACT making an appropriation to aid the Michigan State Agricultural Society, and to provide for publishing the Annual Reports of said Society. SECTION 1. The People of the State of Michigan enact, That there be and is hereby appropriated out of the Treasury of this State, the sum of one thousand dollars, each year, for the years eighteen hundred and fifty-three and eighteen hundred and fifty-four, to the Michigan State Agricultural Society, for the payment of premiums; to be paid by the State Treasurer to the Treasurer of said Society, on the warrant of the Auditor General: Provided, That the Treasurer of said Society shall, on or before the fifteenth day of October in each year, make, subscribe, and deposit with the Auditor General, his affidavit that said Society has raised for the year a like sum of one thousand dollars, by voluntary subscriptions and fees of membership. SECTION 2. That two thousand copies of the Annual Report of the Michigan State Agricultural Society be printed and bound annually under the supervision of the Secretary of State, in the same manner and form as the report of the Superintendent of Public Instruction for the year eighteen hundred and fifty-two; and when so completed, the Secretary of State shall reserve thirty copies for the use of the State Library, and shall deposit with the Auditor General, one copy for each organized township in this State, to be sent by him to each township for the use of the library thereof, and the remaining copies shall be for warded by the Secretary of State to the Secretary of the Michigan State Agricultural Society, for the use of said Society, under the control of the executive committee. Approved February 14, 1853. |