Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1873-06-05
NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL CON
GRESS.
FIRST DAYS PROCEEDINGS.

The National Agricultural Congress began
its second annual session at Indianapolis on the
2Sth of May. There were hundred and
fifty delegates present, representing ninety
societies in twenty three States and Colorado
Territory. The President, Mr.. Reynolds, OF
Illinois, being absent, Mr.. A. NJ Garland, OF
the same State was chosen to preside.
At the afternoon session, Governor Hen
| bricks was introduced, and delivered an ad
| dress of welcome to the delegates, assuring
| them that the State of Indiana extended to
them and the cause they repre-
scented a hearty welcome and help
| ing hand. He said the people OF
| the State care largely interested in mechani.
| cal, manufacturing and mining enterprises,
| but their permanent interest is in agriculture,
and their sympathies are earnestly with you in
| all your efforts to promote the dignity and in
fuence and the prosperity of the farming and
| planting classes"
In behalf of the city, Mayor Mitchell next
addressed the convention, welcoming the
members to the city's hospitality.
At the conclusion of the Mayors remarks,
President Sullivan, of the Indiana State Board
of Agriculture, welcomed the associations in
behalf of that body.
General Jackson, of Tennessee, returned
thanks for the Congress. He remarked in
cidentally that they were not to fight railroads,
which depended upon agriculture as agricul-
ture depended upon them, but they would de-
nand that the railroads should have no more
than their rights, and that by extortion they
should not Cypress the agricultural interest of
the country. Applause. They should do
away with middle-mcn, and bring the produc-
ing classes in closer contact with the carriers,
After the appointment of the regular Com
mlttees, the Secretary submitted the third
10000 societies in the country, two-thirds of
which were organized during the past six
months An average OF forty members to
each society would make 4OO, 600 farmers,
banded together for mutual benefit That
was simply the beginning of the movement.
Societies having fifty members were entitled
to one representative in the Congress.
Many societies, being in their infancy,
had no representative this year, but would next.
The societies met with due regularity, and the
cooperative idea was being experimental upon
III many places.
Resolutions were introduced and referred
declaring that all effort on the part of the or
ganization of any class to increase or decrease
the value of labor or the products of labor are
injurious in their influence and against the inter
ests of farmers; that the EightHour law passed
by Congress, being a disturbing element III
the management of the business Of the whole
country, ought to be repealed indorsing the
efforts being made to secure additional aid
from Congress in behalf of Agricultural Col
leges established by the land grant of 1862; APP
| proving the Morrill, bill, and providing for a
committee to memorialize Congress on the sub
| ject, and promote it in such manner they
| thought best
Prof. Reilly, State Entomologist of Missouri,
spoke on the cotton worm, which, in one week
last year, destroyed $4,000 900 worth of cot
ton. He felt quite assured that Paris green
would clean out the pest, as it destroyed the
| potato beetle. The mineral mixed with thirty
| parts Of -four would be effective, and twenty
! pounds of Paris green, at twenty-five cents a
| pound, would do for several acres. 1t could
also be applied in water. Adjourned.