The Van Buren press., 1870-08-16
70 the People Of Crawford County

The undersigned, acommittee appointed by
the Agricultural and Manufacturing Society
ofCrawford county, to urge upon you the i'm
portance Of attending the Barbecue to be
gwen under Its auspices at Mays Branch, on
the first day of September, approach the dis
charge of their duty with thorough sense
fits importance.
The experience of the recent past has de-
monstrated the Importance of organizations,
having In view the exchange of opinions on
the various methods oftilling the soil, togeth-
er with the result of experiments in such cul-
tivation. The first society of this character
was formed in Philadelphia, almost immedi-
ately after the Independence of the Nation,
and had for its President Washington, whilst
the Secretary was William Floyd, who him
self, signer of the Declaration, had enrolled
among the members the names of jefferson,
Adams, Pinckney and others equally illus
trious. Since then Agricultural Associations
have become generally popular, because time
has proven that those localities yielded the
best crops where the people encouraged such
societies-and there are few Counties in the
land, that have not by their action in this re-
spect proven their appreciation of the utility
Of disseminating knowledge on agricultural
topics.
1t was the desire to emulate the example of
our tellow-citizens of other places, that caused
the formation of the society, on whose behalf
we now address you. Over year has elapsed
since that organization and yet to-day its
members are few and its meetings sparsely
attended. Ignorant or foolish persons have
maliciously circulated false statements, that
the Society had political purpose, whilst
others equally suspicious and senseless declar-
ed that its real object was the accumulation
of money, for some Of the members. 1t is
scarcely necessary for us to reterate that the
only aim of the organization of the Society.
Is the advancement of the Agricultural and
Manufacturing interests of the County, by
such discussions and experiments as may
seem best TO the citizens.
The resources of this County are not to be
eXccled by any territory of like area in TIE
country. One portion ofits soils yield gen
erous return of cotton, whilst another pro-
duces abundantly. of the grains. Timber of
varied and valuable species abounds, whilst
coal and useful minerals await but their de-
velopmcnt to enrich their owners. Nor is
there to be found anywhere land so admirably
adapted to the sustenance of cattle, at rates
so insigniiicantly cheap as can be shown
within our County limits. These statements
are facts well known to you, but the adyan-
tages thus recapitulated can be best secured
by the encouragement of this Society which
will in time not only improve the quality and
quantity of the crops, but will assist in max
ing known to those abroad that Crawford
county is the point where to emmigrate be-
cause of its natural gifts, and that its people
are determined to profit by the advantages
given them in the exercise of every faculty,
to cause those advantages yield the
most assured and lucrative return.
These objects-so dear to all ctizens-can
only be attained by the aid of the Farmers
those practical Agrcuturalists whose person
al experience can alone give might aud add
to this Association. 1t is, therefore,
especially to them, that we urge the impor-
tance of a general attendance upon the forth
coming Barbecue. All are invited, and it is
to be hoped that the large aggregate present
will be the most gratifying evidence of the
abiding interest, which the people of this
County have in the success of this Society
founded as it is to encourage the intelligent
and industrious cultivation of the ARTS of
Peace"
GRANVILLE WILCOX,
III. l.. MCCONNELL.
Committee.
a.