REPORTS FROM COUNTY SOCIETIES. 449 



President Richmond appointed the following gentlemen a standing commit- 

 tee on topics, to report to-morrow morning: Rev. L. B. Potter, J. C. Dayton, 

 Frank Little. 



An informal discussion was had upon various subjects to bs considered by 

 the committee on toj^ics with reference to being embodied in their report. 



Prof. Beal spoke briefly upon the importance to farmers of taking more 

 pains in the selection of perfect grains for seed. That the quality and yield 

 can be immensely improved by a systematic effort in this direction at com- 

 paratively small cost. 



Tiie convention then adjourned until to-morrow morning at 9 A. M. 



WEDNESDAY ilORXIXG SESSION. 



The busine>s of the convention was resumed at 9 A. M., President Richmond 

 in the cliair. 



The following interesting report was made by the Secretary, Frank Little, of 

 Kalamazoo : 



Mr. Presidkxt and Gentlemen: — The association of agricultural societies of Mich 

 igaii was formed in 1874. This is the seventh animal convention of the society. It is 

 a voluntary organization, consisting of a delegate representation from agricultural, 

 horticultural and kindred societies. It aims to determine and perfect best methods 

 for conducting agricultural fairs; to encourage a free interchange of views and ex- 

 periences; tlie promotion of agriculture in all its branches, and the discussion of such 

 topics as the exigencies of the times and the interests of agriculture, horticulture 

 and rural life mav demand. 



At the convention at Lansing one j'car ago, which was well attended, a new consti- 

 tution and rules were adopted, the board of officers enlarged and a new impetus given 

 to tlie work of the association. 



As in all other voluntary public organizations, where neither honor nor emolu- 

 ments are to be derived, we have to rely upon the patriotic impulse, the self-sacri- 

 ficing zeal of those who do not live solely for themselves, but have an earnest, 1 might 

 say religious, desire to do good and benefit their fellow men. 



While some of the early pioneers have dropped out by the way, wearied, it may be 

 discouraged, while many societies have neglected to send delegates to our meetings, 

 yet 1 am pleased to note a general awakening of public interest in the work of the 

 association, a widening of its scope and influence, and we meet here in Ann Arbor to- 

 day, Mr. President, a regularly organized, accepted and established institution of 

 the State. 



"What secular or religious association or bodj' can claim a more disinterested pur- 

 pose — I may be pardoned in saying this — or is more clearl}' identified with or more 

 zealouslj' seeks to promote the material welfare of the people? 



AVe are brought into close relations and liave to do with what is fundamental in all 

 its aspects. A business that lies at the bottom, the very bed-rock, of all individual 

 and national prosperity. No other occupation can exist, no enterprise succeed inde- 

 pendent of the farmer — the brawny tiller of the soil. 



Mere intellectual development, scientific research, belief in the atomic germ, the 

 correlation and conservation of forces, social refinement, or tlie liighest forms of our 

 so-called civilization have thus far been unable to change man's organism, to free 

 him from the daily recurring necessity of nourishing his brain, his tissue, his very 

 life with the commonplace products of the field. An eminent writer on this subject 

 says: ''It is impossihle to measure or even estimate tiie importance of agriculture to 

 a people. It is the foundation upon which civilization and society rest; the basis 

 and source of the permanent wealth of a nation. No people in history have made 

 substantial jirogress in civilization, arts and sciences, and remained long i)r()sperous 

 that neglected agriculture. It is the most ancient and universal of all arts, the parent 

 of manufactures and commerce, the basis of all other industries, without which all 

 else must decay and perish. The agricultural classes have uniformly been devoted to 

 liberty, peace and good order in society; antagonizing disorder, wrong, violence and 

 unjust revolution, llu-y constitute the reserve forces of conservatism in all govern- 

 ments;'' and, as anotiier has well said, "the virtuous and intelligent farmer has 

 attained the highest estate of fallen man." 



57 



