annual bepomt—Convention. 
5 * 
tives of the farmers’ clubs, and other agricultural societies with 
the state society, the commencement of a new era in agricultural 
life and progress in this state; let us educate each other, and make 
the light of this convention shine to the remotest part of the state, 
and even beyond her borders. Let us make this an interesting 
and profitable meeting, one that we can look back to as one of the 
brightest spots in our agricultural labors for the year; one in 
which new and valuable lessons were learned, and where we were 
stimulated to think as well as act 
For, Mr President, in my judgment, the time has now come 
in agriculture, when one must think, study, investigate, experi¬ 
ment, draw his designs and lay out his plans in a thoughtful and 
intelligent manner, when the intellectual as well as the physical 
forces must be brought into requisition. The farmer cannot oc¬ 
cupy that advanced position which his calling entitles him to, and 
in fact is not worthy of the name in this go-ahead age, unless he 
is educated in his business. It is of equal importance, as that the 
minister, tradesman, lawyer, or mechanic, should be educated in 
his. 
The labor of the hand is, and ever must be, necessary in all 
agricultural pursuits, but when guided and controlled by the 
mind — the brain force—less labor of the hand is required, and 
yet more remunerative and substantial results follow. “Mere 
brute force has not the desire to be aided in the performance of 
labor, but cultivated mental vigor is ever striving for some plan 
which will accomplish work without exhausting the body. Hence 
it may be that the weary toil of the farmer’s life shall exist only 
in myth, and farming take that rank among the professions which 
it deserves.” 
Mr. President, nothing now remains to make this convention 
a grand and decided success, if those comprising it will impart to 
us a portion even of the knowledge they possess, whether ac¬ 
quired by scientific research, practical experience, or observation, 
and I trust that every person present will feel free to express his 
thoughts upon any topic which may arise, but in so doiug be brief 
and pointed, so that all may be heard who desire to speak. If this is 
done in a social and practical way, the wisdom of the many may 
here be concentrated, and their combined knowledge diffused 
