624 IOWA DEPARTMENT OP AGRICULTURE. 



ADDRESS. 



Early in February, following the meeting of the above convention, the 

 president caused to be published the following address to the farmers of 

 Iowa: 



''Gentlemen— hi a convention of the farmers from different counties of 

 the State held at Fairfield, Jefferson county, Iowa, on the 28th of December 

 last, a State Agriculture Society was organized, and the undersigned 

 elected president for the present year. As many of you farmers, like my- 

 self, were not present at the convention, by virtue of the office conferred 

 upon me, I address you this circular for the purpose of informing you of the 

 permanent organization of the society, and also with the hope of enlisting 

 your cordial co-operation with the officers elected, in placing this society 

 upon such a basis as shall not only effect the great object for which it was 

 originated, but shall also be an honor to our young State. For many years 

 past, annual State agricultural fairs have been held in almost every State in 

 the Union, where farmers and mechanics of the whole State are in the habit 

 of bringing together the products of their skill and industry in amicable 

 rivalry. 



' 'Nowhere in the Union does the farmer enjoy greater natural advan- 

 tages than in Iowa; notwithstanding we too often see a want of the applica- 

 tion of science and well regulated labor to the development of this most 

 important interest of the State. Experience has proven that the best and 

 surest mode of bringing agriculture to a high state of perfection, is by 

 stimulating emulation among the farmers, by annual fairs, and the award- 

 ing of premiums to meritorious exertion. 



"This is the object for which this society was organized, and we now call 

 upon every farmer of the State, and every other citizen, to take an interest 

 in this society and lend their aid toward its advancement. Here we, can all 

 stand on a common platform, no matter what political opinions may divide 

 us. This is common ground upon which every patriot and every lover of 

 his State can stand engaged in the laudable purpose of advancing the 

 important agricultural and manufacturing interests of the State — the true 

 source of national wealth and prosperity. 



"Shall this society then languish for want of the cordial support of our 

 citizens, especially of those whose interests it was especially designed to 

 serve? No. Farmers, this must not happen! I hope you take too much 

 pride in your- profession to suffer so great a disgrace to fall upon you . 



''But how are we to command the means of paying the necessary pre- 

 miums and the incidental expenses of the fair? The legislature will, no 

 doubt, at its next session, patronize the State Society, but this year we must 

 rely alone upon private contributions. 



''The first section of the constitution of the society is as follows: 



The society shall consist of such citizens of the State as shall signify by writing or 

 otherwise, their wish to become naembers, and shall pay on subscribing, not less than one 

 dollar, and not less than one dollar annually thereafter, which fee shall be paid on or 

 before the first day of June. Also honorary and corresponding members. 



