1^ BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



Oflmore. A fifteen months' old sow can not raise a litter of pigs and get in good 

 condition for the ring. I do not exhibit anything over a year old. 



3Ir. Helms. Brt-eding at an early age, the sow never comes to maturity, as well 

 «8 when older. At St. Louis, I saw a sow ruled out when in pig, and due to farrow 

 in a few weeks. 



Mr. Willuiins. You can not always tell when they are with pig. 



Mr. McCord. I favor letting sows run a little longer, and at sixteen months old 

 sO»ey could not have farrowed, and raised a litter of pigs. 



On a vote the resolution was lost. * 



On invitation, Gov. Gray appeared before the Convention, and on being intro- 

 ■duced by the chairman, spoke briefly, as follows : 



*^Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Association : I am very happy to meet you on 

 Has occasion. I don't think I could say any thing that would enlighten you on the 

 objects for which the association is formed, although raised on a farm in my boy- 

 liood days; have forgotten all I knew, if indeed, I knew anything of stock raising. 

 I have no doubt of the necessity and the laudability of the Association, and hope 

 yoar tneeting will be pleasant and largely enhance the live stock interest in In- 

 diana. There has been a rapid improvement with cattle and hogs in the last fifteen 

 •<»• twenty yearH, which is largely due to the associations organized by the farmers 

 of the State. I hope to meet you often on occasions of this kind. It would be a 

 pleasure to remain and hear the discussions, but I have a pressure of business which 

 ^1^68 me io make my stay brief." 



The Association then took a short recess, to afford opportunity for personal in- 

 troduction to the Governor. 



Mr. Williams. I move that the State Board be requested to offer a grand 

 •weepstake premium on the best boar,. sow, and herd. 



3Ir. Barker. I favor the motion only on one condition, and that is, if thefinan- 

 <aial condition be such, that similar premiums be offered on other stock. 



Mr. Williams. We would rather have the premium offered, if there is no money 

 to it. It is the honor, as much as anything, we contend for. 



Motion prevailed. 



Mr. Williams. I move that no hogs should be admitted to exhibit where the 

 l»reed has a herd book, unless the animal or its sire and dam have been recorded. 



Mr.. Mitchell. Then all animals that do not have ancestors recorded would be 

 arasled ott I have seen animals exhibited that were better than those recorded. 

 Tiiie State Board should try to regulate the premiums for the State and not for the 

 &erd book. The day is not far distant when the record of hogs will be required. 

 S. think a resolution of this kind should not prevail at present; it will have a bad 

 set, 



Mr. MeCord. I wish to know what the breeders can rely on if they don't go to 

 e herd book. 



Mr. Mitchell. The Poland Chinas were in existence long before the records were 

 1 existence, and you don't dare to dispute anything about that breed. The hog 

 oorda can not last; in my opinion, it would soon be too voluminous. 



Mr. Cooper. We need a resolution to have all breeders to record in the herd 



