Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1872-10-03
agricultural.
President Wasson's Address at the
State Fair.

ricultural and Mechanical Industry opened
to-day, has no reason to doubt either the
propriety of its coming together or the
wisdom of those who organized these fes-
tival asscmblings, which serve 10 stimulate
into greater activity the farming interests
OF the State and upon which all classes of
society depend for their prosperity.
Notwithstanding the progress of the So
ciety unoer whose auspices we meet. may.
at times, have been impeded by iUiJerdi
Legislation, or beclouded by casualties. Yet
its course has been steady aud upward
each succeeding Exhibition giving il a
character Of greater prominence and i'm
portance.
To bridge over that disastrous break
down" at Augusta in ls70, made such in
roads on the asserts as compelled the Treas
urer to pay the premiums al pro rata re-
duction OF so per cent. Aside frem the
'free-will Offering of the locality where
the Exhibition Is made, the Society's only
source of revenue is the admission fee. the
my cents entrance money paid at the
gates, with which cost OF fixtnres. pre-
miums and incidental expenses are met
Since the holding OF the State Fair in this
city in 1857, the price of lumber and labor
has more than doubled, which has CORES :
pondingly enhanced the cost of prepara-
tion. Reference 10 my memoranda shows
the expenditure Tor fitting mp grounds
and halls to be $4,000: adding to this Sc
coo to be paid in premiums. will give the
sum OF $4,000 as the aggregate outlay for
the present Exhibition. With resources
% uncertain, while the present pennrious
legislation continues to withhold State aid
or stipend. even with the most prudent
management, there can he no great width
of margin "left over" 10 cover accidents
But Gentlemen, this Exbibi'ional enter
prise has higher market value than tina,
of premiums paid. II, dividends are in
better stock than greenback>. diploma,
or medals.
These yearly gatherings become the
>taudpoints from which we can survey the
i.bors of the year. and note the advance ",
have made as tillcrs of the soil They be
'fh1N lF.lAs VI as wen, from
which new "courses" may be projected to
avoid the failures of the past, and guide In
the future 10 better results in that vocation
n which science and skin End themseiye,
taskcd 10 the utmost
These annual festivals become the saang
sill Of agriculture. after the wistful ann
lnus days are ended after the perilS Of
hlighied drought and predatory insects are.
over when we can relax from the heavy
tolls aud cares which s-ed-tine and harvest
have LAID upon Us, and give scope to mrth
and satisfaction ia regard to our triumphs
over the soil. and learn new lessons TO bent
~ for the greater achievements in the
grand old .Art-ths base of the industrial
column
The Art of Agriculture cannot he moor
Cd hnmOfable in the passing current II
must 90 forward i'll the tide or % back
ward in the eddy" one 81 the chief
values Of these annual State Fairs j.. to
point out which Of these ways our farming
Is gong. and which OF The trauchc, Of our
mixed hn,bandy droop and wauc. aud
which push the higher up the trails OF
practical value
Those who have been close observers at
these shows, have not failed to see The
changes which are going On. some. more
slowly Others, As II by magic, a. in the
cattle stalls. where, but few years sine.
Thoroughbred would have been a rara-1ris.
or In Glass Horses" which from puny
Scion. has grown TO a to'rtrjns Interest
Al the first Maine State Exhibition held in
800, the best time. on the track was > Sc
and al the Rhode Island Horse Show. the
same year. but 2:4s. hiFty-Ria. dHd one
quarter seconds too Slotc in these exciting
days in the annals OF racing. SO the Glass
Poultry which in the infantile DAYS Of the
Society was hardly recognized a. of suiii-
Gent importance TO incite competition by
the offer Of premiums, has become prom
inent feature in the Show, aud a leading
interest in the husbandry of Name
4 few wears since-for the display Of
Fruit. but limited table space was asked.
or needed. whereas. now no product seek :
Or demands more room. and IN no Glass Is
there liyeler. or more closely contested
competition while the exhibition in the
Class Of Cereal Products has been and i,
depreciatins in quantity, and it is alleged.
in quality also
he annual Exhibitions. thus seen be-
come sort of yearly profile. whereupon
are sketched the various changes of the
year. wrought out by steam intercommuni-
cations, cheapened transportation. new
competitions and other agencies, which
are in active operation, and which make
our system Of mixed husbaudry success
ful and profitable in one direction, and ill.,
appropriate or a failure ia another. thus
showing how the farmer may govern hi
practice and not be disappointed in his ex-
pectations.
Gentlemen. need remind you. that til,
opening Of the new lines Of railroad, the
advance in the price Of labor. efficient i'm
plements and machinery for fac ilitating tn.
labors OF the farmer, are instrumentalirie,
affecting the present and prospective econ
omies of farm management which must b,
studied and observed, would we give then
their most potent influence to produce fol
US the best results.
As you witness the exhibition in it, com
ponent part and see in the samples of III,
herds and iocks. farm, gardens and or
chards, mechanical and handiwork pro
ducts. what an intelligent cultivation o
brain and soil have achieved, may il promp
US 20 so harmonic our system of farmin:
with the incoming surroundings, as to- la,
the foundations for abundant and perpet
ual harvests, and to read the unfoldin.
pages OF the book of Rural Life which
has no ending, wherein the Hottest geniui
finds information and the highest intellec
comes to learn that your labor may b
more perfect and more productive.