Year: 1866

culture, nurture and preparation Of
articles or animals for exhibition, and
to interest themselves generally in
forwarding the interests Of the Soci-
ETY. in such manner as shall seem to
them most efficient; by exciting a
spirit of emulation among manufac-
turers and mechanics which may lead
to the development Of the best skill
and talent in their several spheres,
TO elicit the finest specimens of their
products and secure the amplest and
most creditable development of the
rare, natural and acquired resources
of the county; by stimulating such
honorable rivalry among owners and
breeders of horses, cattle, sheep and
swine as shall inevitably lead to the
Improvement Of stock of all descrip-
tons, and by bringing out what is
useful, ornamental or elegant in
branches of domestic manufacture,
and the thousand and one affairs of
household taste and economy to foster
a home pride and sense of respect for
the local attractions of private life
that cannot fail to work to the mutual
benefit of those who participate and
those who witness the development
which We know must surprise even
the most sanguine.


Having given the assurance that
the premiums offered at the Fair will
be liberal, and comprise in the list
every variety of product, we will give
some Of the reasons why we are san
guine in the belief that the show Of
articles will be creditable and of am
pie variety and merit:


First. For agricultural purposes
there is no better country under the
sun than is the greater portion Of
Saginaw County. Grain and vegeta-
bles of'all kinds congenial to this lat
itude here attain their fullest devel-
opment. Fruit, such as Apples, Pears,
Plums, Cherries and Berries of vari-
Gus kinds thrive admirably, produc-
ing in exuberant abundance, and it is
an undisputable fact that many of the
choicest varieties, particularly of APP
pies and Plums are improved by
transmission, even from the best fruit
growing localities of the East to an
extent which seems incredible, the
proof Of this was fully shown at the
Bay County Fair last fall, and will be
more completely demonstrated at the
first Fair of this Society.


Second The stock of horses, par
ticularly for all work, those of the
best class being always in demand for
numbering and general teaming, of
which there is vast amount done, is
equal to that Of any other section Of
carriage horses we have an unusually
country, and though blooded stock
many have been somewhat neglected
on account of the utilitarian proclivi-
ties of our population, there will be
found at least respectable showing
of horses of the finer breeds. In
cattle, though the propagation of i'm
ported varieties has perhaps in no
instance been made speciality, the
Fitzhughs, Birneys, and some Of the
earliest settlers having at the outset
brought in some Of the best breeds,
these blending with agood native vari-
ETY. from adjacent counties have led to
an average of far better than common
grade and having many excellences
that will only be known and appreci-
ated when comparison is made with
other kinds. The same may also be
said in regard both to sheep and swine,
good varieties Of both have been
brought in, but to what extent will
only be known when a collection of
the best shall have been made. One
fact worthy of mention here is that
cattle are invariably healthy in this
region, neither murrin nor epidemics
have prevailed for many years, and
the situation in many localities is
peculiarly favorable to grazing, dairy,
and stock-raising purposes,


Third. Of natural products in what
are essentially the specialitics of the
district thispointis unrivalled. Thebest
pine timber in the world, and its
manipulations Of lumber, lath, shing-
les as well prepared and put up as
that coming from any other locality;
choice Oak, Black Walnut, Cherry,
Whitewood, Ash, Butternutand Maple,
either in slaves and lumber or more
elaborately wrought into articles of
furniture, useful and ornamental,
while of the saline resources, which
have SO materially aided in the recent
rapid Improvement of the county a