ANNUAL REPORT, 1884, 



We confess to a spirit of pride and enthusiasm in the compi- 

 lation of this report, as it demonstrates the steady improve- 

 ment and development of our State, and we are more than ever 

 convinced that Indiana is the most favored locality for human 

 existence, all things considered, on " God's green earth." We 

 have all the requisites for prosperity, with the aid of knowledge 

 and industry, and in former reports we have shown that it is a 

 healthy locality. No other section of country has ever had a 

 gathering of fifteen hundred pioneers whose ages ranged from 

 70 to 100 years, none having resided in the State less than 40 

 years. What better evidence of a healthful climate could be 

 presented, or what other State can equal such a showing? 



The geographical position is remarkably favorable, lying as 

 it does, in the track of the great thoroughfares from the east to 

 the great west, bounded by the great lakes on the north, and 

 the Ohio river on the south, it must continue to be on the main 

 highway between the seas. It is in the heart of the wheat 

 growing region, with the highest record for production, and in 

 the center of the corn belt of the United States, and also the 

 geographical center of population. 



The timber of the State is remarkable for the quantity and 

 quality, the heavy growth of which has somewhat retarded the 

 development of its productions compared with prairie land. 



The coal is of superior quality and practically inexhaustible 

 in quantity. The stone of fifty square miles in extent is pro- 

 nounced unequaled for building purposes, and is now used for 

 public buildings in the principal cities of the United States. 



We have given a thorough description of the State as to the 

 various resources in the Agricultural Report for 1882, and a 

 general description by counties in the annual report for 1883, 

 hence will avoid a repetition at this time. 



It will be observed that this report for 1884, extends into 

 the following year, as usual, for the reason that all the official 

 reports of the Board are presented at the annual meeting of 



