448 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



his cliiUlron to become farmer?, than to provide a cheerful and attractive home. Let 

 the now home then be not only mere commodious, but possess more of the comforts 

 of modern life. The plain and substantial at once impresses the mind with the idea 

 of stability and permanence, as does the convenient, useful and tasteful inspire love 

 for the home that possesses them. Youn;^ and susceptible minds take in these im- 

 pressions with an accuracj' and force that give character to their future desires, and 

 shape to a large degree their choice of a profession or occupation for life. Presum- 

 ably true, is it that the young see in other professions and trades easier roads and 

 pleasanter paths to eminence, distinction, and power. I do not advocate mansions or 

 palatial residences for farmers, but buildings substantial, convenient, and comfort- 

 able, in keeping with good taste in their design and architectural proportions, exhib- 

 iting sense and judgment in the selection of the location, with surroundings that shall 

 create iu the beholder a sensation of sympathy with the pleasing attributes of grace 

 and beaut}' in nature. 



It is with pleasure I note the fact that in the older and longer settled portions of 

 our State the spirit of useful imiirovement and refinement is strikingly manifested 

 in many of the residences and buildings of the farmers. 



For the purpose of encouraging this spirit it is to be hoped that this subject will 

 receive from the managers of fairs proper consideration in the way of ofiering premi- 

 ums for plans of farm buildings. 



"When we contemplate the great and varied resources of our State, in its agricul- 

 tural productions; in its mines of copper, silver, iron, and coal; in its forests of tim- 

 ber and various manufactures, together with its herds and flocks, we may realize to 

 some extent the magnitude of the productive interests which it is the principal ob- 

 ject of your association to promote. 



"When we extend tlie thought to the vast territory of the Union, embracing about 

 500,000,000 of acres, nearly 200,000.000 of which is now subdued to the hand of man and 

 constitute the farms and homes of over one-seventh of the population, yielding in 

 agricultural products annually in value exceeding $3,000,000,000, upon an invested 

 capital of over $9,000,000,000, and the employment of about 6,000,000 of its people, is 

 it strange if we are filled with amazement at the possibilities of the future of our 

 country. 



Gentlemen, what a stimulus is found in the thought that in the United States the 

 prosperity of the whole nation rests more certainly upon the success of the agricul- 

 turist than upon that of any other class or profession. I>et the farmer then feel the 

 responsibilities that rest upon him as a citizen, and let him realize the importance 

 of "his calling, in a national point of view, if no other motive induce him, to persevere 

 in eflorts to increase the nation's wealth, power and true independence; at the same 

 time remember that he is one of a class by whose industry, economy and enterprise 

 our country has been advanced from an unproductive wilderness to unexampled pros- 

 perity and power. 



Let us then, gentlemen, look at the past only that we may select what is good, 

 and avoid what is evil, that we maj' from its expiring sparks catch the inspiration 

 of a wise progress, and school our hearts with lessons of truth and moderation; that 

 wisdom may guide our course into the hidden future, with a spirit at once hopeful 

 and humble; that we maj' at all times and in all vicissitudes realize the fulfillment 

 of the promise, " While the earth remaineth, seed time and harvest, and cold and 

 heat, and summer and winter, and day and night, shall not cease." 



At the close of the President's address, the delegates presented their creden- 

 tials to the Secretary', and were enrolled as follows ; 



Michigan State Agricultural Society — Hon. Philo Parsons, Ira H. Butterfield, Jr. 



Michigan Slate Pomological Society — J. D. Baldwin. 



Michigan Agricultural College — Prof. "W. J. Beal. 



Central Michiqan Agricnltural Society — Rev. L. B. Potter, "Wesley Emery. 



Eastern Michigan Agricultural Society — H. D. Piatt, A. Campbell, X. C. Carpenter. 



Fenton Union Agricultural Society — W. Blackmer, E. G. Miles. 



Genesee Co. Agricultural Society — C. H. Rockwood, J. C. Dayton. 



Kalamazoo Co. Agricultural Society — J. B. Cobb, Frank Little. 



Eaton Co. Agricultural Society — Duane Hawkins. 



Lapeer Co. Agricultural Society — I. H. Butterfield. 



Livingston Co. Agricultural Society — M. Mitchell. 



Neicaygo Co. Agricultural Society — Shepherd Tibbets. 



St. Josrph Co. Agricultural Society — E. A. Strong. 



Washtenaw Co. Agricultural Society— C H. Richmond, J. "W. Wing, J. Parker. 



Shiaicassee Co. Agricultural Society — J. A. Armstrong. 



Washtenaio Pomological Society— J. A. Scott, Hon. P. Page, J. Ganshorn. 



