Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-01-09
STAR.
LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.
FOURTH ANNUAL MEETING

The United States Agricultural Society met
this morning in the East Room of the Smith
sonian Institution. Although the severe storm,
which has blocked up the roads at the North,
has prevented many delegates from reaching
here yet, there was respectable attendance
from various States and Territories
Credentials were presented by gentlemen
representing various State boards of agricuI-
ture, and State and county societies
The President, hon. Marshall p. Wilder,
then delivered the following able
ADDRESS:
Gentlemen Of the society and friends of Ag
rlculture official duty requires me TO sub
NIT to You, on this fourth anniversary Of our
Association, statement of its operations and
progress for the past year, and TO offer such
recommendations as these may suggest in re-
sPect to its future mission. The year which
has just completed its course has been one of
unusual prosperity to the American farmer
IN which kind Providence has rewarded his
toll with abundant harvests with ready mar
kets and remunerating prices. Among the
secondary causes which have contributed to
this result, we recognize the scarcity produced
10y the drought of the preceding year, and the
demand for American produce created by the
war In which many of the countries of Europe
are still involved. As phianthropists and
christians we deplOre this conflict, yet We can
not lose sight Of the fact that it imparts to the
agriculture OF cur country peculiar import
ancc, and, should it continue will afford an
increased demand for the products of eur soil.
Still our main reliance must ever be upon the
progress Of society within cur own borders
upon the prosperity of our industrial pursuits,
and the consequent home consumption of our
agricultural products. The commerce of one
section of our republic with another hardly
second IN Importance to our foreign trade, is
worthy Of the attention and study of our poll
teal economists and the wisest of our states
MOI aud III
tanned by the art which 1T is the object IF our
association especially to promote.
Gentlemen, L congratulate you on the pro-
gIess OF our institution during the past year.
IL 1t has not accomplished all which we anti
clpated, 1T has furnished pleasing evidence of
ats growing prosperity and usefulness, and
strengthened our hopes in regard TO its future
Development.
Tho arrangements for the Boston exhibition
were on most liberal scale, and So perfectly
systematized as to be easily controlled, and t.
contribute to the comfort and happiness of the
multitude In attendance. The grounds en-
closed with high fence, were in the form of
ararallelOgram with pens and stables for ami
mails at each end and on the back side. On
the front extending moro than one thousand
feet, were ranges of seats, rising one above
another, TO the height of fourteen feet, com
mandlnS distinct view of every portion of
Su' 5t''u0l, ana ACCOMMODATING thousands OF
delighted spectators. In front Of these was
The track for the trial oF horses, half mile
IN circuit, enclosing various tents, and an OBJ
Servatory seventy feet in height for the ae-
comnodation of the judges and officers Of the
Society.
The number Of entries in all the depart
nents was nine hundred and thirty-one en-
braclng between one thousand and fifteen
hundred animals Although the city govern
ment had generously expended about fifteen
thousand dollars In the grading and pIcpara-
ton OF these premises, yet still larger outlay
was fouLd necessary, on the part Of this As
soclatlon, to complete those preparations, to
pay the premiums awarded, and t. meet the
otner numerous and Unexpectedly large ex-
Penses of the exhibition. The sum awarded
IN premiums alone was nearly twelve thou
sand dollars, a larger amount than has ever
before been distributed by any other Ayri-
cultural Society in our country. The other
incidental expenses were very large yet all
these, as viii appear from the treasurer's re-
port, were more than covered by the receipts
leaving balance to be added TO the funds Of
the Society. This balance would have proba-
Oily exceeded ten thousand dollars, but for the
severity of a storm which entirely suspended
tae exercises OF the occasion, during the Gath
instant.
The experience Of the last year confirms the
opinion before expressed in favor of holding
annual exhibitions in different sections IF the
country, as means Of establishing the rep
utduOn Of the Society, and Of promoting per
sonal acquaintance and practical knowledge,
among the most Intelligent farmers Of our
land.
The utility is becoming more and more man
liest every year. combining the most Import
ant instruction with the most healthful recre-
alton OF the people, and verifying the remark
OF Daniel Webster, at the first exhibition of
the Norfolk Society, in Massachusetts,: ''The
great practical truth and characteristic of the
present generation is, that public improve
ments are brought about by voluntary assO-
citation and combination. The principle of
assoclatlon-the practice of bringing men to-
gether for the same general object, pursuing
the same general end, aud uniting their in
tellectual and physical efforts to that purpose
Is great improvement in our age. And
the reason is obvious. Here men meet
together that they may converse with one
anOther-that they may compare with each
other their experience, and thus keep up a
constant communication. In this practical
point OF view, these Fairs arc Of great import
ance. Conversation, intercourse with other
minds, Is the general source of knowledge
Books do something. But it is conversation -
IL Is the meeting of men face to face, and
talking over what they have in common in
terest-lt Is this intercourse that makes men
sharp, intelligent, ready to communicate TO
others, and ready to receive instruction from
them.
l. therefore, recommend to your particular
attention any application whi,h may be made
In reference TO future exhibitions OF the So
clety As the fact is now we'll established
that the exhibitions OF the national society in
every State advance rather than retard the
progress of the local associations within its
bounds, such applications may be expected to
multiply, and II Is worthy of your inquiry
whether any additional action o. our body is
necessary on this subject.
L have the pleasure to inform you, that in
vItations have been extended to several gen.
tlenen Of distinction to deliver lectures before
this association during our session. / would,
also, recommend that much time as possible
be allotted TO the free discussion of agricul-
turai subjects, with a view to elicit the results
oi experience in different parts of our Union.
IL Will be remembered that such a course,
at our last annual meeting led to an interest
Ing debate on the relation of political economy