The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1866-03-21
Agricultural Address.

OF Agriculture, delivered an address before
the Central Michigan Agricultural Society,
Al the Congregational Church, on Thursday
+ evening. March 18th. The audience
was not SD large as it would have been if
the evening and travelling had been more
favorable but was one which could and did
apprec ate the remarks Of the gentleman.
and by vote Of the Society We were re-
quesiel o publish report. which We com
mend TO our readers rs worthy Of their pc
rusal, containing many valuable sugges-
tions which if acted upon. would. especi-
ally as regards that portion relating to
horse-racing, and the necessary gambling
and jockeying which always attend such
exhibitions, prove invaluable to all kindred
societies throughout the State, not except
ing the State Agricultural Society.
Mr Howard stated that the subject Of
his remarks would be: The proper objects
Of Agricultural Societies, and the means OF
accomplishing those objects. The primary
object 0i such associations Was OBJ
yiously. Dee coatended, the improvement OF
agriculture; but the intimate connection
Of this interest with manufactures and the
mechanic arts, renders 1t proper that their
Improvement should be, 10 some extent
embraced ia their general design. The
special condition and wants Of agriculture
In the district over which the society ex-
tends its upervisiOn, should be considered
in the outset. and the particular products
for which the soil and climate are most IA
vorahie. Ur which can be made most re-
muncratve 10 the producer first demand
attention IL should be constantly borne IN
mind, however. that in the grand aim OF
improving agriculture and the arts there
with connected. whatever involves the vel
fare al The Industrial classes has more or
less bearing, and that, hence, in eifecting
general ameliOratiOn OF the condition OF
agrlcultuusts, the Improvement Ot agricul-
ture will be most advanced.
In speaking OF the means usually adopt
ed by agricultural societies for effecting
improvements. the holding Of shows for the
exhibition OF animals and articles, on which
premiums are offered, was noticed. These
exhibitions or shows. should, however, il
was argued, be considered as only one Of
the variou, modes by which a society should
seek 20 accomslish its main purpose. IL
was regarded as unfortunate that many
societies make such displays their main il
not exclusive object, TOO often, it was feared.
without due regard 10 ultimate results
Much Judgment and a strict observance OF
the true objects of the society, are required
in the Offering Of premiums An impOr-
tant object should be 20 establish correct
standards 10y which animals and things
should be Judged The terms in which
premiums are offered should be based on
such standards, and should as far as posi-
bic convey q clear idea in regard 10 them
The mere use Of the word best does not ex-
press anything in regard TO what cOnsti-
tutes excellence. II is sometimes said that
this Is left to the awarding committees Ii
Is by no means proper TO leave il TO them
because different men are appointed TO
Judge the same things, at different tines
and their ideas in reference to standards
establishing uniformity. in regard 10 The
things Judged, the decisions might uuillIy
eoc6 other and nothing would be estab-
lished. A reasonable suppOsitOn is that the
society seeks to make improvement in
everything for which il offers premiums,
and that il has fixed certain standards in
reference to which the awards should be
made On this ground agricultural exhi-
btIOns become, as they should be, correct
Ors Of public opinion. The animals or ar
ticles on which premiums are awarded,
may properly be presented as examples
for imitation. II was remarked that the
| objects on which premiums might with pro-
priety be offered. were too numerous TO be
particularly spoken of on this occasion
but as much prominence has OF late been
given by many societies to certain things,
/ it was thought that some Of them deserved
notice Mr. II. then proceeded to speak Of
one feature of agricultural exhibitions as
follows:
1t seems to me that horses, or partic-
ular class Of horses, have in many cases
occupied more than their legitimate share
OF attention. Il is well known that some
sO-called agricultural associations have
under the name Of "trials of speed, made
racing and trOttinG- the principa
| feature Of their exhibitions. 1t is not un
usual that the largest premiums offered by
a society are those for the fastest trOtting
Or in some cases for what is more properly
called racing. \ great display is made o
this in the bills, and it seems to be relied
on as the strongest inducement that can b'
presented to the public 10 attend the show
The arrangement Of the grounds and The
most expensive fixtures for the accOmmOda
tion of the people, have special refer
ence to these. sO-called trials Of speed. s.
much space is frequently given up to this
that other departments OF the exhibition
are incOmmOded for want Of room. Th'
excitement incident to these displays il
naturally attractive 10 those people wh,
attend the exhibition merry for amuse
ment, especially the young Of both sexes
and the crowd which fingers round tn
stand. shows that the benefit which nigh
be derived from close examination OF Othe
parts Of the exhibition is chiefly lost.
But is any real Improvement effected o
even contemplated. by these premiums o.
trials of speed IL has already been Re
marked that premiums are offered for th
fastest trOtting at short distances.
might be added that only very light weight
are drawn; so that the contest is reduce
TO q mere test Of speed, wholly irrespectiv
of other properties. Ii follows, Of course
that the WANING horse is in many cases on
OF little value for any purpose of usefulnes
b that in some instances he would not briD
in the regular market, as much money q
IS awarded 10 him in single premium.
is true that this is not always the result
these trials. Horses that are valuable Il
something besides speed at short distance
p and light weights. do sometimes win; bJ
when they do, they stand no higher in h
scale Of hOnOrs than the mean scrubs whiC
have done the same thing; and il must be ev
: dent that the Offering OF premiums for mel
: speed, If il has any influence at al
tends 10 the production Of horses in who
the more useful properties are found on
: in an inferior degree.
l But the worst aspect Of the case has o,
: been noticed. Disguise 1t as you viii /
any soft name. these contests are in pri
ciples nothing more than those institute
: by gambling associations, where hOrs'
compete for purses, in sporting phrase l
deed, as the public mind becomes accu
toned 10 the spectacle, il approximate
nearer aud nearer to the gamblers schem
until even now, we see, al the exhibition
Of some of our leading agricultural SOC
! cites, the most open betting on these - q
j. ais Of speed"
In view Of these facts, will any one co
9 tend, that the displays alluded to are c.
!, cUlated 10 improve either the breed OF ho
ses or the morals Of men But what is 4
n argument in favor OF these displays {
: what ground IS it attempted 10 iusti
: theme Their advocates, when pushed
: the wall aud forced 10 admit that thev ca