The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1845-12-20
A ID D r E s S
OF THE
OHIO STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE.
OF THE

To the Farmers and Friends Of .4grieulfuo
improvement in Ohio: ....
No person who has given any atten
ton TO the signs Of the times, can have
failed to observe, that, during the las
ten years, very greatly increased in
terest has been manifested Throughout
the world, on the subject Of improve
ments in agriculture. Many men o
eminent scientific aitainments have
written and published valuable trea
tises on the various sciences and sub
jects intimately connected with agrl.
culture. There have, kewise, beer
published, both in Europe and this coun
try. many valuable works of a practl
cal character. cn this subject, which
have had an extensive circulation and
rapid sale, evinclng the general and
awakening interest manifested by the
people for greater information on the
subjects which they discuss. Not only
has the light of science, in a great meas
ure, been shed upon the path ofthe ag-
riculturist, but there has been an al
most universal application of mind 10
the subject of agricultural improve
ment. Men have become convinced
that agriculture, to be successfully pros
ecuted, must not only receive tie aid
of the light wich science and expert
ence have shed upon the subject; but
that II is no longer sufficient, in the
pursuit Of agriculture, to depend upon
the application of mere manual labor.
1t has been shown, by abundant expe-
rience, that when labor is directed by
the aid Of an enlightened mind, and by
the increased skill which always ac-
companies it, the products of the same
labor are greatly augmented.
1t has likewise been discovered that
lands constantly subjected to the pro-
cess Of ordinary culture, invariably de-
preciate in fertility, and at length lose
their capacity TO grow certain crops.
These lands are thereby rendered USE
less, nj are thrown out to common;
and the owners seek a new locality to
60 through the same routine of exhaus-
ton. But the subject of restoring the
former fertility to these lands, and OF
preventing their exhaustion in future,
has been matter of earnest inquiry,
and has given rise to a great portion
of the interest manifested of late on
these subjects.
These facts are beginning to be ap-
preciated in some portions Of the Uni
ted States. The people generally are
becoming awakened to the results
which always attend the application Of
science, skill and experience, to the
cultivation Of the soil. Several OF the
States have yielded to the force ofpub-
lie opinion on this subject, and have
passed laws for the encouragement OF
agriculture, by the incorporation OF
State and County Agricultural Socie-
ties; and they have contributed money
from the treasury in aid of these Soei-
cites, and for the diffusion of informa-
ton among the people; and have like
wise undertaken, al the public expense,
agricultural and geological surveys OF
their respective territories. lor the pur.
pose of developing their agricultural
and mineral resources.
In no State, perhaps, has the utility
OF legislative aid, for the encourage
ment Of agriculture, been more appa-
rent, or in which the results have been
more useful, than in the State Of N.
York. In that State, the Legislature
has made an annual appropriation of
$4,000, which is divided among the
several countries, after deducting a
certain sum for the use OF the State
Agricultural Society, in proportion TO
the population, and upon the condition
that sum equal to the proportion al
Ioted TO each country, should be raised
by the agricultural society which shall
have been organised in that county.
This money is distributed in premiums
to the members of the societies for the
promotion Of agriculture in the coun.
ties. And there is also held an annual
fair by the State Agricultural Society,
| at which premiums are awarded fol