The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1857-01-15

! TO approach us. Health, in unusual
measure, has checred our hcmes and ami
mated our labors.
From this pleasing survey, it is my du-
ty to proceed to more detailed exposi-
ton of the condition of the State.
The primary interests Of Ohio connect
themselves closely with the ownership
and cultivation of the soil.
The whole area of the State, according
to the computations of the Federal au-
thorities, contsins SO, ,964 square miles,
or 25,576,S60 acres. A little more than
half century ago not an acre of this land
had been cleared for cultivation or even
reduced to private ownership
! The Federal Government asserted an
exclusive proprietary title in the whole,
except that portion included in the Cen
onnecticut Reservation. The hardy pio-
neers, who pushed forward into the will
derness, were compelled to buy of the
Government or lis grantees the very soil
which they subdued. The whole burden
of contributions for the support of the
State and its institu tons, was cast upon
the land thus purchased. The land of
the Government was wholly exempt !;
and the contributions of the Government
by grants of land in aid of public improve
ments were insignificant in comparison
with the enhanced value of the migrant
ed lands.
Notwithstanding these serious disad-
vantages, the PROCESS of purchase and
settlement has gone steadily forward un-
til more than twelve millions of acres
occupied for agricultural purposes, and
nearly thirteen millions more, classed as
uncultivated, have become private pro-
perty, and contribute to the public reye-
nue..
When, in 1902, Ohio became State
in the American Union, every other of
the seventeen members of the confedera-
J cy was more populous and better cult
waited, and six had larger areas. Now, al
though the number of the States has in
creased to thirty-one, of which nineteen
are larger than Ohio, not one surpasses
: her in the extent and variety of her agri-
cultural products.
i A general outline Of the gradual con-
version of public in o private ownership.
will reward attention.
Prior to 1908, the returns Of lands held
by individual proprietors are meager and
unsatisfactory. In 1870, the numter o
acres thus owned was 1883, ,101. In
1920, this quantity had increased TO 13,
319,043 acres; in 1880, estimating the
quantity for two counties from which there
: were no returns, to Is, 1896 acres !; in
! 1910, estimating for one county, to 49,.
d 740,2Sl acres in 1850, to 23,9Sl ,35(
acres and in 1855, to 25, 22O, ,C63 acres
These quantities are exclusive of Towr
: and City lots. Nearly all the land in tbt
It State, it will be observed, has thus be
! come private property, and subject tt
taxation.
! The facts disclosed by these returns
suggest question Of the correctness 0
:. the Federal estimate Of the area of tn
State. The difference between the re
turns OF lands for 1855, and the entir
area as computed at Washington, is onl
2 e, ,s77 acres. It can hardly be doubt
ed that larger quantity than this is in
cluded within the limits Of the fftee
hundred cities and towns enumerated i
the Equalization Report for 1858, and il
the exemptions from taxation allowed b.
law. There remained, moreover, on th
3Oth of June last, according to the state
ment of the Commissioner of the Gene
raj Land Office. which herewith trans
70 NIT, and to which I shall hereafter hav
III occasion to refer, 1853 acres of publ
: land undisposed of, within the State
~ ~ These facts render it highly probable thu
VI the true area of the State exceeds the e:
3 innate hitherto received as correct.
le However this may be, the gratifyin
. fact is certain that federal ownership
Ohio approaches its termination, and thu
the drafts upon her resources for the pu
20 20 chase of the soil have nearly ceased
VI Henceforth the unembarrassed energi,
ie of her people may be directed to the ful
., est possible development of all her r
~ sources.
the General Assembly will cheerful
~ recognize the duty of extending to Il
~ great agricultural interest of the State {
y proper securities and encouragements.-
70 To this end the State Board Of Agr GU
~ ture was organized in 1856, and prov
y sion was at the same time made for Il
~ better organization and greater usefl
We ness of County Agricultural Societies.
~ The wisdom of this Legislation has be-
., amply vindicated by its results. Throul
We the labors of the State Board and t
Va County Societies, agricultural improy
u, ment has been benefcially stimulated.
al Their annual Reports embody valuat
contributions to agricultural knowledg
5e- the effect Of which is becoming more a
zen more visible in the increased skill, inte,
In- gence and energy with which the labe
M of the farm are executed, and in the
no creased production with which they {
10 rewarded.
zen respectfully submit to your consi
m ration the propriety of increasing
tu- funds set apart for appropriation by
ing State Board and County Societies to p
see miums for excellence in production and
MS management, and of making such OF
9ise provision for the increase and diffusion
ltu- agricultural knowledge as your own
un- perience and observation suggest.
mes The proportion of our population {
the of our means engaged in Mining.
nh chanical and Manufacturing Industry
port steadily and largely increasing. Th
ney pursuits Of Industry supply great N
Vate ket, constantly becoming greater, for