450 STATE BOARD OF AGKICULTUKE. 



Our agricultural societies are organized expressly for the purpose of investigation 

 and practical tests in agricultural science; tiie dissoinination of useful knowledge, tlie 

 stimulating to higher aims and the advancement of evcrj'tliing that pertains to rural 

 and farm life. 



Tiie local or county societies arc particularly adapted to carrying on tlie work of 

 an organization of this nature successfullj'. They are contiguous to, and can be easily 

 and cheaply availed of by, the masses of the people. In all that pertains to public 

 exhibitions and the free intercourse and interchange of views among agriculturists, 

 they can be made more instrumental in promoting tiie general agricultural interests 

 of the locality than can ordinarily be accomplished by State or larger district organ- 

 izations remotely located. They ofier a wide and pleasant field of labor for the sci- 

 entist, philosopher, and earnest worker in the cause of human progress. 



It is gratifying to record, from a careful examination of the returns of the several 

 county societies, that the efforts pnt forth by the various officials in charge in this 

 direction throughout the State have been and are so well sustained by the people. 



In addition to what has already been said, our association aims to bring together 

 officers of societies and friends of the cause we represent, that we may consult to- 

 gether and devise the wisest and best plans for the prosecution of our work. While we 

 may take under consideration technical rules, regulations, and practices in tlie manage- 

 ment of fairs, we may also consider other topics of general import connected with 

 the common welfare of the people, especially such as are inseparable in their rela- 

 tions to the whole subject of agricultural life. 



We live in a remarkable age of progress and human development. Tlie primitive 

 fathers and mothers delved and span in guileless innocence; ignorant of the revela- 

 tions soon to be made, of the glorious sun of human enlightenment, civilization, sci- 

 ence and arts, that in the near future should illumine the habitable globe. 



While we note the wonderful increase of knowledge, the achievements of science, 

 arts, inventions, etc., the enlargement of the intellectual capacities and functions, 

 what shall be said as to a corresponding development of moral and religious aspira- 

 tions and forces? The clergy and religious press mourn over the apparent decline 

 of religious fervor in the people. That they absent themselves from public worship; 

 withhold the necessary means for carr}-ing on the work of evangelization; and that 

 want of faith, indifference, and scepticism threaten the very citadel of orthodox 

 belief. Evidences of moral defection may also be found in the peculiar and popular 

 and popular ideas, methods, and practices adopted by politicians and political organ- 

 isations to secure success, and the general endorsement by the people of the most 

 ultra, dishonest partisan schemes and abuses. 



Politicall}', we seem to have no respect, confidence, or toleration for one who casts 

 a ballot different from our own. We hold him in tliis regard as an enemj'; a sedi- 

 tious, dangerous person I The world looks on and says — politically — you are all 

 arrant rogues. 



In the midst of a decadence of religious belief, political debasement, unseemly 

 scrambling after office, a seeming decline in official honor and honesty, bribery, theft, 

 and a general decay of all the nobler attributes of our manhood, we have manifestly 

 a grave duty to perform. We should try to build up and maintain the character and 

 purity at least of the agricultural class; frown down all dishonest practices; curb 

 unlawful ambitions; arouse moral sense; awaken manly aspirations, and in every 

 way possible defeat and bring to naught the base schemes of designing men. Should 

 we not inculcate a broader, freer type of citizenship? One that shall hold the elect- 

 ive franchise as a personal trust, to be exercised soberly, sensibly, and in view of all 

 the responsibilities involved? 



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The monotony, heavj' drudgery, and small margin of profits attending farm labor, 

 especially before the introduction of labor-saving implements, has turned many wor- 

 thy young men to other pursuits. The lighter and more fashionable professions 

 have been thronged with candidates. Young men, graduates of the schools, stand 

 upon the street corners, or sit in genteel idleness at home, too proud, too knowing to 

 engage in any useful occupation. They hope to got on in the world, to attain envia- 

 ble renown perhaps, without work — an idea utterly fallacious, in contravention of all 

 human experience and the express decrees of divine providence. 



How may we best counteract these tendencies? how modify and soften the more 

 objectionable features of farm life? How may we elevate public sentiment; show up 

 in its true light the ennobling character and true dignity of the profession, and 

 awaken a more general interest in agriculture, its enlargement and scientific develop- 

 ment? 



The agricultural societies of the State are steadily gaining in public favor and im- 



