Demoine courier., 1855-01-25
MEMORIAL
To the General assembly of the
State of LUa, nOW in Session:


The undersigned beg leave to repre-
gent that. at The organization Of the Stale
Agricultural Society. at Fairfield. on tie
i~enty-eigth day of December, 1853.
they were appointed a committee to me-
moralize your honorable body In behalf
OF the sane, and invoke that material
aid requisite to enlarge The sphere Of It's
usefulness. and place its continued exis
ience upon a permanent basis.
This duty The committee find a pleas.
ure 10 performing. and would respectful
ly invite the a,teDtion of your honorable
body 10 the following suggestions; &
FIRST. Tha. the State Of Iowa is IN.
derstood to be reported a, The general
land office at Washington city as posses
sing more good cultlvable land within her
BORDERS than any State in the Uuion.-
That seven eighths of her population is
now, and in all probability will continue
TO be engaged in the culuvalion of her
sol, that husbandry in its large sense
must ever be the chief source Of its
wealth anc power. and thus being the
o comprehensive interest in the
State, 1t should be upheld and fostered
by Stale patronage and legislative en-
couragement.
Second. The browning merit OF the
present age Is The great movement that
Is being made to elevate The standard of
agriculture. by bringing the ligh. of the
natural sciences TO the guidance of It's
labors. and thus securing TO husbandry
It's highest conception as a science and
as a system. IL is The clear duty of this
State TO pu' herself in accord with this
movement, by adopting the means nee
essary TO accomplish the end. and max,
ing Iowa the first State in the Union. 10
a wise. vigorous. and successful! system
OF husbsndry. as she is first in The beau
~ of her plains and richness of her yir
GIN soil.
Third. Sixty years experience Of
some Of The older States have demon.
sfrated The utility of state an6 county ag-
ricullural societies and public fairs, as an
ITpor,an. means of developing the capa.
bllllies OF The soil, aRd The cultivation
and treatment of its more useful animal
and vegetable productions. Besides
which II Is known that they stimulate in
curry. excite TO industry, promote good
n~eigtborship, and a common sympathy
among the llters of The soil, whilst they
increase the general thrift. production
and wealth of the State.
Fodrsh. Bo!h State and county agri
cultural societies IN other States have and
are now rendering liberal ~pecuniary sup
port. where they are still kept up with
out abatement in interest, and to the man.
Hest improvement of their domestic an
finals. and the fertlizing agents Of their
soil, anG that, too. when under The poll
cy of these States large drafts have been
constantly made upon their revenue for
projects of internal Improvements aud
public works. whereas a similar policy
will not likely obtain in this State, as
he experience of the past has taught us
that these public works can best be car
ried forward under the capital and enter.
prise OF private associations.
Besides. il. is known thar the educa
,ional interest of the State is already lib
orally provided for hey ond any future
contingency, lha. The public domain
within our chartered limits is rapidly be-
ing purchased up and occupied by the
chltivators of the soil. which must as
rapidly increase the revenue of the
State. and which. under the policy adop
ted. will not be drawn upon for any con.
siderable purpose beyond tho current, ex-
Penses of the Stale, (Which is under
stood TO be exceedingly economical. and
In The judgment Of the undersigned. too
small in many ~ina,snces for The good Of
the public service
For these. among other considerations
which could be named il does seem 10
The committee lha, the Legislature. at its
present session, ough, to extend in some
suitable way It's fostering and efficient,
aid to The great farming inleres, OF The
State; and. especially. thai an annual ap-
preparation of one thousand dollars NAV
be made to advance the objects and
praise worthy aims Of The State Aericul
rural Society. which the undersigned now
represent.
The committee canno, fail 10 state
tina. this society held il, frs, annual fair
at Fairfield, in Jefferson county on the
gath day OF October last; which. being
ihe first. and considering the u~nfavorable
season for cropping, was highly credlla.
BILE both TO The society aud the State, and
did challenge the admiration of all who
had the pleasure Of witnessing its exhi.
bilion.
Its expenses and premiums were
me, by the contributions of individuals.
the liberality Of some OF whom merit
the greatest praise; but j, is asking and
expecting TOO much OF private individ-
uals to uphold an institution whose bene-
factions are designed for The whole
State, and the burlhens Of bes,owing
which should be a. The common expense
Of the Stale. Until This is done, its
n os, ardent friends hardly hone 10 sec