THIRD

ANNUAL MEETING

inik)i §hlu igiitultural §Muhs,

FFBRUARY 28, 1855,

PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS.

WAS KINGSTON

18 5 5.

FKANKLIN PRINTING HOUSE.

210 Washington Street,

BOSTON.

ADDEESS.

Gentlemen of the Society, and Friends of Agriculture, ^—

To-day occurs the third anniversary of the United States
Agricultural Society. Common usage requires its Executive
to submit some account of its transactions for the past year,
and to make such recommendations in reference to the future
as experience may suggest. In the progress of business,
Reports are expected from various Committees on subjects
previously assigned ; and it is hoped that the same harmony
which has characterized our proceedings from the beginning
will continue to preside over our deliberations, and that all
our discussions and transactions may subserve the great cause
of American agriculture, and promote the welfare of the
American Union.

Most sincerely do I congratulate you upon the increasing
interest manifested throughout our country in this worthy
object, — an interest which is both the reward of our toil and
the encouragement of our hope. It proves that we labor not
alone, that other hearts beat in unison with ours, and that
other hands are employed in the same noble work. The
public mind has been profoundly moved, and the current
now sets in the right direction.

Many Agricultural Societies and Boards have been recently
formed in Counties and States where none previously existed,
while older organizations have acted with renewed energy
and success. Among these faithful guardians of this most
important department of human industry and of national
prosperity, we recognize New York, with her State Society and
more than fifty auxiliaries, and with her able Secretary at the
seat of her government ; Ohio, with her efficient State Board,

and a still larger number of auxiliaries ; Kentucky, with her
several powerful district societies ; Missouri, with her State
Society, of recent origin ; Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wiscon-
sin, and youthful Minnesota, with other Western States and
Territories, each associated and vigorously at work under the
most favorable auspices ; Maryland, with her State Society
and auxiliaries ; Delaware, with her County Societies, both
renowned for enterprize and stability ; New Jersey, just enter-
ing the field in freshness and vigor ; Virginia, with a State
organization more richly endowed than any other within our
knowledge ; the Southern Central, and other Societies, promis-
ing important results in that section of the country ; Pennsyl-
vania, with her ancient Philadelphia Society for the Promotion
of Agriculture, and her more recent flourishing State Society;
Massachusetts, with her venerable State Association, and her
present State Board (a department of the government) ; and
around her each of the New England States laboring within
its respective district, for the promotion of our common cause,
with a praiseworthy zeal; and California, that young and
hopeful member of our national confederacy, with a thriving
State Society, and with a soil yielding agricultural products
quite as remarkable as the precious metals of her mines, —
these, by their numerous and constantly increasing auxiliaries,
by their various officers, exhibitions, libraries, periodicals,
lectures, discussions, and farmers' clubs, — all these are co-
operating with us for the advancement of the cause we seek
to promote. Our national Society has contributed its share
toward awakening and diffusing this interest; though, from
the embarassments which ordinarily attach to the early history
of great enterprizes, from the want of funds to support a
permanent Secretary devoted entirely to its business, and
from other causes which will be hereafter specified, it has not
accomplished all which we anticipated and desired.

EXHIBITIONS.

The Society has held two exhibitions ; the first in Spring-
field, Mass., in 1853, which was restricted to that noble ani-

mal, the horse. It was eminently successful, and was reported

in the Transactions of that year.

The Executive Committee, to whom were referred at the

last annual meeting the applications requesting this Society to

hold national shows in the States of Ohio, Massachusetts,

and Vermont, after much deliberation adopted the following

order : —

In Executive Committee, February 2-5, 1854 : on motion of W. S. King,
Resolved, That the application of inhabitants of Springfield, Ohio, for the
holding an Exhibition at that place, under the auspices of this Society, be
referred to the President, to be governed by the terms of the following
resolution : Resolved, That no Exhibition be held within the limits of any
State where a State Agricultural Society, holding Exhibitions, is in exis-
tence, without first obtaining the assent and approval of the State Board, or
of the Executive Committee of such State Society.

The terms of the latter resolution having been complied
with by the State Board of Ohio, an Exhibition, confined to
neat cattle, was held, under the direction of this Society, at
Springfield, in that State, on the 25th, 26th, and 27th days
of last October. Funds to the amount of ten thousand dollars,
for the payment of expenses and premiums, were guaranteed
and paid by twenty public-spirited individuals and firms, whose
names appear in our Transactions, and who, in the most pat-
riotic manner, subscribed five hundred, dollars each for this
purpose.

The weather was exceedingly propitious, and the Exhibi-
tion in the highest degree creditable to all concerned, espe-
cially to the liberality and hospitality of its projectors and
patrons, to the skill and enterprise of stock breeders, and to
the wisdom and patience of its judges.

Whatever may be said of the quantity of stock on exhibi-
tion, the quality Wiis doubtless superior to that of any other
Cattle Show ever held in the United States. All public
reports agree in the statement that the Exhibition was the
finest, in point of excellence, ever held within the limits of
our republic ; and several gentlemen, who were present from
foreisrn lands, and who were fiuniliar with similar exhibitions
there, testified that they had never seen it equalled in any
transatlantic countrv.

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Of the great utility of such Exhibitions in removing
sectional jealousies, in smoothing the asperities of pai'ty, in
promoting a more cordial intercourse among American agri-
culturists, even upon subjects on which they may honestly
entertain different opinions, I have no doubt. These Exhi-
bitions disseminate general intelligence, awaken a spirit
of emulation among our intelligent yeomanry, encourage
the local associations where they are held, build up, upon a
firm and enduring basis, our own institution, and strengthen
the bonds which we trust will forever unite, as in one
flourishing and happy family, all the members of our national
confederacy.

In consequence of the holding of this Show of Cattle in
Springfield, Ohio, the contemplated exhibition of Horses, at
Springfield, Mass., and the Show of Sheep, in Vermont,
were omitted.

Applications are now in the hands of your Executive, re-
questing the Society to hold similar exhibitions in several
other States. I commend them to your consideration and action.

JOURNAL.

In accordance with the suggestion made in the last annual
Address, the Society's Journal has been issued in one octavo
volume, and awaits distribution to such members as have not
previously received a copy. It contains the Society's Trans-
actions for the last year, with reports of committees, essays
and dissertations, together with sundry extracts from a kindred
association, the American Pomological Society. The latter
have been published in this volume, with the consent of the
government of that body, the purpose of which is to advance
an important branch of American agriculture, and which is
now in successful operation throughout the country.

This portion is of permanent value, on account of its list
of fruits adapted to general cultivation and to particular
localities ; and also on account of its Reports, which embody

the experience of the best cultivators in the country, not to
speak here particularly of its able essay on entomology, and
other pomological information. The importance of this branch
of terraculture cannot be exaggerated, forming as it does one
of the most delightful and profitable branches of husbandry.
Comparatively little attention has been devoted to it by
American farmers ; but those who have engaged in it have
found a ready market at home, and an increasing demand for
exportation to foreign markets.

This volume, however, contains but few Reports from the
Agricultural Societies of the States and Territories, because
but few of these, or those of the Commissioners appointed to
\isit the Exhibition were received in season for insertion, an
omission which has reduced its size, and which, it is hoped,
greater diligence will hereafter prevent.

DIPLOMA.

The design for the Society's Diploma, which was presented
and adopted at the last annual meeting, has been executed,
and I now have the pleasure of presenting a copy to each
member who has not previously received it. I repeat here a
word of explanation for those who were not present at the
adoption of this design.

It represents, at the top, Ceres, the goddess of Agriculture,
seated in a car drawn by a pair of oxen, and attended by farm
laborers. On her right hand sits Science ; on her left, Art ;
before her lie the fruits of the earth, and various implements
used in its cultivation. The front of the car is decorated
with reliefs of the four quarters of the globe. She is accom-
panied also by the Seasons of the year.

On the right side of the design is Pomona, the goddess of
Fruits, and on the left. Flora, the goddess of Flowers.
Groups of horses, cattle, sheep, &c., form the back-grounds
to these figures.

At the base, in a cartouche, is a view of Mount Vernon,

surmounted by the national emblems, and supported on eitber
side by a farmer and a gardener, with appropriate scenes in
the distance.

I also herewith submit impressions of an engraving for the
heading of receipts, letters, and other business documents of
the Society, This is a fac simile of a sculptured mantel-piece
in Washington's mansion, at Mount Vernon, presented to him
by Mr. Vaughan, vtmn^&'frfim:>>1^ji(^

FUNIM5 AND MEMBERSHIPS.

The Treasurer's Report, it is expected, will be submitted
in the progress of business, and will exhibit the condition of
the Society's finances. I regret to state, however, that these
are now locked among the assets of the Exchange Bank of
this. city, and are therefore not immediately available, though
I am informed by the Treasurer and other gentlemen appointed
to examine their condition, that the Society will probably
suffer no loss by their deposit in that institution. These
have been principally procured by the agency of your
presiding officer, who will spare no exertion to preserve them
from depreciation and diversion from their legitimate objects.

I had hoped at this meeting to report accessions, by bequest,
to our funds, of an amount sufficient, by the income thereof,
to support a permanent Secretary, and to meet all the other
necessary expenses of the Society ; and although that hope
has been deferred, yet it has been so far encouraged by
several wealthy benefactors of public institutions, as to justify
the belief that it will yet be realized.

Most of the outstanding bills of the Society had been paid
previously to the time of the assignment of these funds ; but
there now remains due from Society the expenses incurred by
the publication of the Transactions, the engraving of the
Diploma, and a few other small bills.

The income of the Society from memberships during the
year has been less than was anticipated, owing, in part, to the

9

difficulty of obtaining" agents to solicit them. This applies
particularly to annual memberships, the fee being so small
that the per centage to the agent makes it no object to put
forth the requisite exertions, either for collecting the annual
dues or to obtain new members. It is therefore Avorthy of
your consideration Avhcther our Constitution should not be
so amended as to reduce the fee for life membership to ten
dollars. This, it is believed, "would multiply agents, increase
their energy, and add materially to the funds of the Society.
My own efforts in this and some other departments during the
past year have been necessarily limited by the number and
severity of my personal and domestic afflictions. But in
these, it has been no small comfort to know that I have
shared so liberally in the kind sympathies of many whom I
see around me.

REPORTS.

r O T A T 0 DISEASE.

Your Executive Committee, to whom was referred at the last
annual meeting the communication of Mr. Joel Hitchcock, of
St. Lawrence county, New York, on the subject of the potato
disease, with instructions to report at this meeting, have
instructed me to state that they have given it their attention.
Experiments have been tried by themselves and others, accord-
ing to his directions, and although it may not prove a univer-
sal preventative against the disease, yet his method seems to
be based upon true pliilosophical principles, and to have the
merit of restoring and preserving from degeneracy the original
qualities of this invaluable esculent. The Committee, there-
fore, recommend him to give his method publicity, that it
may be subjected to a more thorough and general trial.

C U K c r L I o .

The Committee, of which your President was Chairman,
to which was referred the paper on the destruction of the
Curculio, by the Hon. James Mattheson, Coschocton, Ohio,

0

have given the subject attention. Experiments have been
made in different parts of the country with various degrees of
success. In view of the importance of the topic, and of
variety in the result, and also in view of the thorough inves-
tigations which are now in progress in regard to insects
injurious to vegetation, and in accordance witli the judgment
of the discoverer, recommend a further trial before the remedy
1)0 made public.

rNIYP:RSAL EXHIBITION AT PARIS.

It is probably well known to all of the members of this
Society, that France has resolved upon an Exhibition of the
Industry of all Nations, to commence in the capital of her
empire in the month of May next, and has invited the
co-operation of other countries, and delegations from their
various industrial associations. I accordin^Iv recommend that
a delegation of one member or more be appointed to represent
this Society, in that National Fair, provided that such delega-
tion be without expense to this Association.

LECTl'RES AND DISCUSSIONS.

Your Committee on Lectures, I am hapj^y to inform you,
have invited several gentlemen to address you in the course
of the present meeting, on various subjects pertaining to
agriculture, m hose names will appear upon the programme of
business. I would also recommend that as much time as
practicable be allowed for public discussions, after the manner
of Farmers' Clubs, for the pvu'pose of giving free expression
to the wisdom and experience of practical cultivators in
different parts of the country ; and that the Committee on
Lectures be requested to open a docket, upon which any
member may enter subjects for discussion. One of the
gentlemen who addressed vis at our last annual meeting, the
Rev. Charles Fox, Lecturer on Agriculture in the University
of Michigan, and author of the American Text Book of Prac-
tical and Scientific Agriculture, has fulfilled his earthly mission

1

and entered upon his reward, and, by his departure, has
admonished us of the uncertainty of life, and of the necessity
of doing speedily and -with our might, the work assigned us
here below. This gentleman was ardently devoted to the
cause of agriculture, and did much to promote it by his
writings, his instructions, and example. His memory will
long be cherished for his public services and private virtues.

Other afflictions have interrupted the vaiious circles of our
friendship, and have cast many bitter ingredients into our cup
of earthly bliss. But our hearts still cling with strong attach-
ment to surviving friends with Avhom we have acted, and
still hope to co-operate, in this and other great benevolent
enterprises of our age and countiy.

I will not, however, prolong these remarks. My object
has been simply to give you a brief report of ^\ hat has been
done during the past year, and also an intimation of some
things which it is desirable to attempt in the future. To
many of these I have called your attention in previous com-
munications ; but here, as in the beginning of other great
associations, additional time is requisite for their full accom-
plishment, and for the realization of our hopes.

In conclusion, gentlemen, allow me, in a word, to advert to
some peculiarities in the present condition of American agri-
culture— to the vastness of its resources, appearing in the
extension of our public domain, and in the variety of our climate
and soil — to the rapid increase of cultivators and consumers,
aiding production and creating ready markets at home — to our
remarkable facilities for transportation by our lakes, rivers,
and canals and by our railroads, threading our country in
every direction, and rapidly extending from ocean to ocean —
to the improvement in agricultural implements, by which
machinery performs, for the farmer, the labor of days in a
single hour — to the agency of the press, in the application
of science to the arts of cultivation, and in the diffusion of
general intelligence, in the publication of lectures, and the

12

reports of exhibitions and discussions in all parts of our
republic — and, above all, to the rise in the price of lands,
and also of crops, for the latter of which demand has increased
as steadily as their quantity.

These, and similar congratulatory considerations, evince the
prosperity of our beloved land, and illustrate the dependence
of the States of our national confederacy upon each other ; —
not one of them liveth to itself — dismemberment or dissevera-
tion is death — the ruin of agriculture, and, therefore, of
commerce and manufactures. For instance : New England, with
all her intelligence, machinery, and capital, cannot li'se alone ;
she must depend upon the South for her cotton and rice ; upon
the Middle and Western States for much of her beef and pork,
wheat and wool ; while, in return, she will send her sister
States the fabrics and other products of her skill and industry.
This reciprocal action and mutual dependence cannot be
destroyed, and should be turned to the highest practical
account. Whose heart does not respond to the sentiments of
our illustrious statesman — "I would gladly see the United
States independent of all foreign nations for all the necessaries
of life, clothing as well as food ; but I do not desire to see
the separate States independent of each other : first, because
climate, soil, geographical position, and physical condition,
designate them for different departments of industry, and
their own highest prosperity will be subserved by following
nature ; and, second, because these mutual wants and mutual
dependencies arc among the strongest bonds of our blessed
Union, and give the best guarantee that it shall endure for
ever."

Gentlemen, in this sentiment I heartily concur ; and it is
my earnest prayer that it may animate all our heai'ts, and
encourage our endeavors to advance the objects of this Asso-
ciation— to strengthen the bonds of the American Union,
and add to the prowess and glory of these United States.

MARSHALL P. WILDER.