50 BOARD OF AaRICTJLTURB. 



Let US compare our lands worth from thirty to sixty dollars per acre; our labor 

 from one dollar and fifty cents per day to two dollars during harvest time, and 

 with our railroads continually charging higher freight rates during the carrying 

 season of the wheat product. Under this condition of facts, is it possible for us to 

 compete successfully in the wheat markets of the world? i answer no. Then 

 what is best for us to do as an agricultural people? Turn our attention more to 

 diversified agriculture by having an equal amount of pasture and stock to that of 

 grain. 



The World's Exposition at New Orleans is now open, where the industries of 

 many of the nations of the world will come into contact with one another in 

 friendly com[>etition. When the public press first announctd that a World's Fair 

 was to be held at New Orleans, and that the General Government of the United 

 States had appropriated half a million of dollars towards its success, and that the 

 money so appropriated was to be distributed pro rata between the States compos- 

 ing the Union in order to assist them in making a creditable display at that great 

 fair, I felt it to be my duty as President of this Board, and feeling a just pride 

 tliat the exhibit of our Indiana agricultural products should fairly represent the 

 best products of our State, I took the liberty to call upon our Governor, suggesting 

 that an early appointment of Commissioners for our State was very necessary, also 

 profTeriug all the help that the oificials of this Board could give in collecting sam- 

 ples of our agricultur;il products. This was done before the commencing of our 

 fairs. My object being for the officials of this Board to make a call upon all the 

 county and district societies of the State to contribute their premium samples of 

 grain to be put on exhibition at the World's Fair at New Orleans. 



The first appointments of Commissioners by the Governor was a failure, as they 

 both declined to accept the position, and by the time the second appointment was 

 made it was too late to secure the premium samples from the counties. However, 

 we turned over to the Commissioner all the available specimens of grain that we 

 had on exhibition, and the glass jars for exhibition purposes. It is a source of re- 

 gret that there was not a larger amount of money at the disposal of the Commis- 

 sioner to make a display worthy of our State. 



The finh interest of onr State is attracting much attention, and promises to be- 

 come one of the important industries, both pleasant and profitable. There has been a 

 large number of fi.sh ponds constructed in the State during the last eighteen months. 

 We know of one person with six acres of ponds, who has furnished the stocking 

 for 400 artificial ponds, and we hope to have him present at this meeting to en- 

 lighten us in regard to this new business. 



In June last a call was made by several of the leading agricultural societies of 

 the West to meet at St. Louis for the purpo.se of forming an association of fair and 

 exposition managers. Quite a number of delegates, also two representatives from 

 the Dominion of Canada, met in St. Louis according to call, and formed an organi- 

 zation, having for its objects the discussion of fair management and a uniform sys- 

 tem of tickets, advertising, and treatment of exhibitors, and by such action, work 

 together for the common good. Another object being, as far as possible, to prevent 

 a conflict of time of holding fairs. I feel that great good will grow out of this or- 

 ganization, and I earnestly hope that this Board will extend an invitation to that 



