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these all utter one voice. They speak of the copious showers of Heav- 

 en, of the warming sunbeams, and of the industry, planning care, skill 

 and perseverance of man, woman, maiden and little one. The mental 

 and physical energies of the inhabitants of this county, as well as those 

 of other counties, have most manifestly conspired with propitious heav- 

 en in producing this manifest abundance which our eyes have this day 

 witnessed, so rich, so grand, so tasteful, and so beautiful. 



As a county, and as an Agricultural Society, we are, as yet, in the 

 very infancy of our being, and most of us but little versed in the plans, 

 doings and achievements, of older counties and older societies; but 

 beckoned on and encouraged by the elder members of the family, like 

 an infant, with much trembling anxiety, we have to-day taken our first 

 step towards manhood, and as a Society we feel something of that child- 

 ish satisfaction so characteristic of the first achievement. 



But instead of stopping too long to congratulate one another on our 

 past attainments, let us rather inscribe on our banner — Onward, still 

 Onward ! 



But why, it is asked by some, why all this expense of time and labor 

 and money, in organizing and sustaining a County Agricultural Society ? 

 What public, or even private, benefits are expected to result therefrom ? 

 To such, or similar inquiries, I answer, first : We need such an organi- 

 zation, with such an annual gathering as this, in the county, as a means 

 of social acquaintance, and as a bond of said union. We are social 

 beings, endowed with social natures, and we can no more attain the 

 highest ends of our existence, or even of our organized existence as a 

 county, by dwelling alone, than could Adam in the solitudes of Eden. 

 We must be brought together, man with man, families with families,' 

 individuals with individuals. We need to come in contact, freed from 

 all formal restraints. Our natures demand this; our social influence 

 and enjoyment demand it ; our best interest and highest prosperity, and 

 most extensive usefulness as a county, demand that there be an annual 

 gathering from all parts of the county ; that they come from Mounts 

 Carmel and Olivet, from beside the rapids of the Grand River, that they 

 come from the Delta, rich in its productions like that of the Nile, that they 

 come from the fields on which the sun so genially shines, that the ville 

 in which the Green Mountain Boys dwell should also have a name and 



