Sugar planter. [volume] (West Baton Rouge [i.e. Port Allen, West Baton Rouge Parish, La.]) 1856-1925, 1860-03-17
AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES.

AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES.
The interest manifested by the people OF
Iouisiara in the agricultural fair at Baton
Rouge is a hopeful indication OF future prog
ress in our most important branch OF home
industry. The people of this State have ex-
h;bited singular Indifference towards the
mean, that have wonderfully developed other
sections of the country. Periodically, in al
most every State but Louisiana, the people
have gathered together objects that represent
their industry, until the interesting fes1lVa's
of the country are those exhibitions OF the
triumphs of labor. A..
The little which we have learned OF the
Baton Rouge Fair indicates that 1t is a sue
cess. Enough, by this hastily arranged ex.
hihition, has been accomplished to prove That
this State will not, under favorable cIrcum-
stances. fall behind the most favored COM
monwealth in the exhibition OF articles OF
interest.
It should be remembered that what has
been done here is the work of enterprIslng
private citizens, while the annual fairs of
other States are sustained by public h%enefac-
tions.
Kentucky appropriates annually $4,000 for
the support of its State Agricultural SOCIETY,":
Pennsylvania gives $4,000. and has voted $50,
900 to the support of a State Agricultural
College. Michigan has gwen 100000 to its
Agricultural College, and appropriates $4,000
ner annun Tor agricultural exhibitions. Ohio
pays sl0.t.:;'o to her State Society, and $500
to each oiAher hundred local associations
| Missouri, yves $4,000 to tie tormer and $500
to the latter. Illinois, $4,000 to the State and
$50 to each county society.
Tennessee grants $4,000 each to the three
geographical district associations. Even Wis
consin. so lately numbered among the States,
grants $4,000 to her State Society. and 500
to each county organization. while Iowa paws
5000 to every district ASSOCIATION IN that
State.
New YORK has leaned for forty years, with
out interest. $4,000. to establish an agrlcuI-
tural college. aud gives 500 annual to the
State society, besides publishing its annual
transactions.
We might intend this list of noble bene-
factions to aid the development Of the agri-
cultural wealth of the respective States, but
sufficient mas been given to show the COM
p%arative neglect ofthe most important branch
of industry in Louisiana. A culcable lndlf-
ference has been manifested towards agricul-
ture by our Representatives. A committee
on agricultural has been annually appointed,
but who ever read a report from that body ?
What valuable legislation has ever been
originated by it? Where is the evidence of
its labors9
A proper regard by the Legislature Of the
subject Of agricultural improvement would
ill our warehouses with agricultural machIn-
cry, stimulate the inventive genius Of the
citizens of our State, awaken rivalry in the
management of plantation work and add at
once to the value Of the production of the
State. Here as elsewhere a successful at
tempt to excite a general effort throughout
the State to improve modes Of culture. add
to the productive power Of our land. or intro
duce new staples OF new machinery. must
receive the aid of the State Government.
1t is strange that measures to advance our
agriculture have not yet been introduced into
and received the help from our Legislature.
The entire inhabitants Of the State ave per.
sonaliy Interested in such legislation. No
geographical or political interests could effect
divisions on such questions; yet no move
ment is made.
We trust the result of the Fair now open
at Baton Rouge. and the effective organiza-
ton made in this city, will produce SUCH a
response from the present Legislature as will
awaken The same general enthusiasm in ia
vor of agricultural reunions which is exhibi-
ted in almost every other State in the Union.
IN. o. Pcayune.