Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1854-02-02
VOLUME 6.
ANiADDRESS
To the Farmers of Iowa,

Farmers from different counties of the
State, held at Fairfield, Jefferson county,
Iowa. on the 2s.h day of December last,
State Agricultural Society was organ
lied. ard the undersigned elected Presi.
den, for the present year.
Az many Of you farmers. like my self,
were not presen, a, the con. entiou. by
virtue of the office conferred upon me,
address you this circular, for the pur-
pose of informing you of the permanen,
organization Of the Society, aud also
with the hope Of enlisting your cordial
cooperation with the officers elected, in
placing this society on such basis as
shall not only effect the great object for
which IL was originated, but shall also
be an honor to our young State.
For many years past, annual State
Agricultural Fairs have been held in al
most every State in the Union, where the
Farmers and Mechanics Of tie Uhi le
State are in the habit Of bringing together
the products of their skill and industry
in amicable rivalry.
Nowhere in his Union does the farm.
. er enjoy greater natural advantages than
in Iowa, Notwithstanding we too often
see wan, Of The application Of science,
and well regulated labor to the develope-
trent Of this most important interes, in
the State.
Experience has proven that the best
and sures, mode of bringing agriculture
to a high state OF perfection, is by s,imu.
'ating emulation among farmers, by an
nual Fairs, and the aw ardiug Of premi-
ums to meritorious exeriiou.
This is the object for which this So.
ciesy was organized. And we now call
upon every Farmer in The State, and eu-
cry other citizen to take an interest in
this Society, and lend their aid towards
its advancement. Here we can all stand
on common platform; no matter what
political opinions may divide US. This
10 common ground upon which every
patriot and lover of his State can stand,
engaged in the laudable purpose of ad-
vancing the important agricultural and
manufacturing interests of the State, the
true source Of national wealth aud pros
: periiy.
Shall this Society then Ianguish FOR
want Of the cordial supper, of our citi-
zens, especially OF those whose interests
nwas especially designed to serve! No,
farmers, this must no, happen. hope
you take too much pride in your profess
sion 70 suffer SO great disgrace to fall
upon you. But how are we to com
,nand The means of paying the necessary
pr, miums, and The incidental expenses
Of the Fair? The Legislature will, no
doubt, at its next session, pa,ronize the
State Society. But this year we must
rely alone on private contributions.
The first section of the constitution Of
The Society IL as follows: "rhe Society
shall consist Of such citizens OF the
State as shall signify by writing or other.
wise, their wish to become a member.
and shall pay on subscribing not less
than one dollar. and no, less than one
collar annually thereafter. which fee
shall be paid on or before the first day
of June. Also Of honorary and cores
ponding members" You viii here per
ceive tha. all persons who desire to be-
come members of the SoGe,y, must sig
Nifty their intention. and pay fee of one
dollar. on or before the first day of June
next. BY these small sums from each
member il is expected to raise AN amount
sufiicien, to NEE, the demands of the So.
cieiy, together with such sums as may
be donated by those who are willing TO
q l., foe ~ nil tho Sno;a,,, n, 10,
infancy. And it is hoped tina, many
will be found in the State to come for
ward and give in this way. As an in
ducement for others to come forward,
now propose to give fifty dollars in aid
of the first Fair, 10 be expended in The
following manner: S25 for the best FIVE
acres Of Indian corn raised in the State,
els for The second best, and $lO for the
,hird best. All competitors to give de-
tailed account Of the nude OF cultivation
and quantity Of producs as well as the
measure Ment Of the land, accompanied
with the sworn certificate Of at leas, two
respectable citizens, not members Of the
family OF the competitor. These pre-
miums to be awarded under the manage
ment OF the Society.
With q view Of accomplishing this
imror'an, object (,he raising Of funds, |
respectfully recommend that all the off,
GERS of the Society Immediately take
steps 10 haze subscription pape.s circu.
lated in their respective counties at as
early day as possible, calling on every
citizen TO become a member. This la
Dor eau be divided by the officers ap-
pointing others 10 assist them in each
county. Icannot too earnestly urge up
on the officers Of the Society, and all
others who feel an interest in It's success,
the importance Of industry in this be.
half. The funds when collected can be
sent to the Treasurer. Ms. w. B. Cham
berlain. in Des Moines county. A, least
that officer should be informed of the
amounts that may be relied on by the
first day Of June nert, when the off,
GERS of the Society will n eet at Fair.
field. for the purpose Of consulting upon
the premiums to be awarded. and max
ing arrangements for holding the Fair on
the 25th Of October next.
Farmers, il is not only your duty to