Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1852-02-19
Report IF the President of the State Board of
Agriculture.

The State Board of Agriculture organized on the
9th OF May last The proceedings and expenses ofIhe
May and January sessions are herewith attached.
The wisdom oil the law of the last Session is made
most manifest In the number OF county societies that
have organized under that law. More than thirty
counties have adopted organization, and twenty in
tercst1g reports herewith submitted Your special
called the very full and highly interesting
reports from the counties OF Monroe, Ekhat, Tippeca.
noe. Wayne, &c..
IL is verv remarkable that pursuit in which more
than iour-hths ot our Population engaged should
have remained long without that spirit of emulation
which the meetings oil county and State Fairs are so
well calculated to bring about.
Agriculture art has been practised from the re.
hottest period but the developments of this day and
are showing the application OF science TO every pursuit
in which man labors.
The public mind seems to have walked mp to the
realization OF something practical, and each asks
for himself the best SYSTEM tie best mode the best man.
of reaping the reward of the labor bestowed upon
the earth, in enc making of those articles that arc
found necessary for his comfort and condition in life
In receiving answer TO these questions, men are
willing exchange views and opinions with their
neighbors- They willing. yea anxious, TO examine
and look for themselves upon the labor, Machinery and
productions OF the eart-lo have the full history Of all
that is around them.
The annual products of the labor expended upon the
SOIL added to the productions of Mechanical and other
useful kinds OF labor, constitute the real wealth Of
State.
There is State in widely extended Union so
we'll situated as is Indiana, for advantageous app-
cation nl agricultural abor and skill The general fer
ity of the SOIL the varied but temperate climate are
highly favorable abundant production OF those
pies which essential supply the constantly in
creasng demand of the home market, and for which
there is generally very large foreign demand at fair
prices.
1t may be Justly said, that a large increase OF the
amount Of the aggregate wealth of State will certainly
follow the formation and organization of State and
ty agricultural associations.
The adoption of any system that will make labor
attractive that shall enlist the heart and energy of the
people in the foil development of their resources will
add to the aggregate wealth OF any community. Yet
such increase of wealth is not by any means to he
regarded as the most important and beneficial results
growing out cl such associations.
One ofthe great practical results that is to follow
from regular system OF county and State associations
will be that oil causing people change and diversity
more their labor and pursuits. This diversity will
be confined alone to the change of labor from agr
culture mechanics but various changes in the various
kinds Of Agricultural pursuits.
Our trne policy, State is TO be- as far . practic
able, Independent; look at home and less abroad
for the elements Of prosperity We should establish and
sustain that policy that will develope all resources,
and thereby advance the interests ofthe This
is work that calls loudly for the exercise of all the in
fuence ofour public men, well private cIlizens
and would enumerate, among the most important
movements in this work. that system efLeglsaton that
will build up state interest, state pride and. if Won
please, state ambition. We may assured ;hat true,
substantial wealth will he found in the labor around us
Of the husbandman, mechanic. and manufacturer.
Through the operations of a thorough system of or
ganlzaton over the State, the Board will be able to ol
lect only general but particular and reliable nor-
nation concerning the different soils of the State The
kind of Agricultural labor that pays best what articles
best adopted 10 such soil and climate the stock
most in demand in the market; the various productions
of each county in The State, different modes of farming
by the best practical farmers experiments different
soils, with various crops; redeeming wet and swamp
lands; the mode and system adopted stock raising;
ditchngs barns stables smoke houses wells springs,
spring houses. modes of supplying stock water, &c.,
&c.
In view of the great quantities Of wet and swamp
lands in the State, and the different modes adopted
redeem them, the Board have determined offer
premium, the anticipated State Fair for the best
say this subject. In this way expect to be able
to present in the next annual report valuable sug
gestions the subject of draining and ditchng the
large quantity of wet lands in this State.
In Offering this premium and others such that, for
the best model OF country residence out houses, barns
&c.; the best essay rendering available and profit
able billy and broken lends In all these the Board
seek accomplish what always desirable the saving
of time and TOLL by of the udicious, skill.
ul and approved application of labor to any given pur-
suit
There is believed to be Just cause OF complaint in
many parts the State the running large ofmae
stock Of various kinds the wanton and malicious des-
ruction OF trees, shrubs flowers vines &c., has been
brought to the attention OF the Board. In connection
with these subjects the Board impressed with the i'm
portance Of providing by law, remedy for the
destruction Of sheep by dogs This useful and profit
able animal in many parts Of the State has been
trely destroyed in this way On all .hese subjects IL is
believed nv your Board that efficient and stringent laws
called for by the best interests Of society
u suggested that the general of stone coal de-
mands the providing by law Of some fixed and certain
weight for the legal bushel Of coal There other
articles that should receive definite and precise weight
by law herewith attach the weight per bushel to the
following articles. recognized and established in
OF the States They are worthy OF your considerations
OF Wheat ........................6 go pounds
OF slelled Corn ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Sc pounds
or Corn in the cob Observation-Disclosures ~ pounds
or ........................56 pounds
or Oats 35 pounds
OF Barley. as pounds
or Potatoes. so pounds
OF Beans. .......... ..................6 go pounds
OF CIoverseed ............... go pounds