504 STATE BOAKD OF AGRICULTUEE. 



state of feeling existing among the farmers and their families toward the ^^uciety 

 and the official management than formerly. There is more liberality on the 

 part of the general public, less fault-finding ; and, as I believe, a truer insight 

 into the real spirit and objects of our association, and a laudable disposition on 

 the part of most to forego personal considerations, and to make personal sacri- 

 fices, if need be, to secure successful results. 



The book of entries for the fair of 1875 clearly indicates a general awakening 

 on the part of the leading agriculturists of the county, and that a commendable 

 spirit of emulation has been engendered, reaching out to the remotest corners 

 of our jurisdiction. The number of exhibitors was much in excess of any pre- 

 vious fair, and every town in the county was fairly represented upon the books 

 of the society. AVliile we have reason to be greatly encouraged by these unmis- 

 takable evidences of progress, and a higlier appreciation of the objects sought 

 to be accomplished in the maintenance and work of an agricultural society ; 

 still, Mr. President, I feel that this is but the mere gleaning of an abundant 

 harvest of possibilities of what should have been accomplished years ago. 



"Why, sir, within a radius of fifteen miles from this hall we have a population 

 and matei'ial resources sufficient to fill National Park to overflowing ; and when 

 I think of all this I am amazed at the leanness of display in many of the de- 

 partments of the exhibition. Especially is this true in the division of live stock. 

 While in the class of horses there has always been a fair exhijjit, comparatively, 

 yet there have been few cattle, fewer sheep, less hogs, and almost an entire 

 absence of any general display of poultry. Xow, sir, I am free to say that if 

 each individual farmer in this county would but simply do what would cost but 

 a slight effort, and is no more than their duty in this matter, they would roll in 

 upon sucli a volume of good things that would be perfectly astounding, and 

 there would not be room enough to receive them. 



I have thought that some of our good people have practiced hitching up the 

 great two-horse Avagon, and coming to the fair Avith a full load of wives and sons, 

 wives, sons, daughters, and hired servants, and with a comprehensive, cheap 

 '^ family ticket," going in to see wliat tlieir more enterprising neighbors have 

 placed upon exhibition, leaving at home, it may be, better animals of all kinds, 

 and products of the household, the dairy and tlie farm, and that solely to avoid 

 a little trouble and expense perhaps that may be incurred in bringing them to 

 the fair. 



Now, Mr. President, I Avant to ask these people if they think they have dis- 

 charged their full duty to the society by simply attending its exhibitions? That 

 is well, I grant, and Ave are grateful to them for doing that ; but they are capa- 

 ble of doing so much better, and of promoting the interests of their OAvn associ- 

 ation in a degree so much higher and advantageous every Avay to themselves and 

 to the general advancement of the science of agriculture in the community, that 

 I am constrained to press this subject upon their profound attention. 



We have at this day a poAverf ul organization of farmers and persons interested 

 in the business of agriculture, called the Grange, — ar tree planted Avhich lias 

 taken deep root, and Avhose branches noAV spread over the entire continent. I 

 do not intend to discuss the Grange at this time; it had my support and best 

 Avishes from the beginning. I am not a member of this honorable order ; but 

 its precepts and inculcations are public, and must commend themselves to the 

 judgment and conscience of every intelligent, fair-minded person. Noav, I haA'e 

 simply introduced the grange to say that they can advance the interests of our 

 agricultural societies in an almost incalculable degree if thev AvilL Tlie effect 



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