Middletown transcript., 1874-10-03
Address delivered by Charles Beas-
ten, ESQ.,, at the opening Of the
Agricultural Fair at Middletown.

Auul 700 u0A1vOlOu W OudIlco O0dl
y ten, ESQ.,, at the opening Of Il
r Agricultural Fair at Middletow1
: Ladies and Gentlemen
It has been custom with me to De
form to the best of my ability any dut
incumbent upon me. and it is therefor
D as president of this association that
, appear before you to say few words o
! the subjects which now engross our at
tention. My views have been thrown te
gether in form which may be consid
cred somewhat crude and irregular. an
| am doubling whether l can say any
thing in this presence in manner tha
will be either edifying to you or appro
pirate to this occasion, but in any even
| beg that you will appreciate my re
marks, in the consideration of the un
accustomed position | now occupy
1t is proper here to remark that al
agricultural address in regular orde'
will be delivered here to-day by dis
tinguished gentleman now present, and
that | have placed my views in a con-
densed form SO as to occupy as little
time as is practicable consistent with
the duty to be performed
1t affords me great pleasure to vel
come you here on this, the inaugura
day of our association, and it becomes
my duty to address to you a few re-
marks on the subject of its rise, pro-
gress and objects.
In the month of January Of the pres
ent year there assembled at the Office Of
Mr.. J. Thomas Budd, few gentlemen
Of Middletown and the surrounding
neighborhood, pursuant to a call by
postal cards, for the purpose of consid-
ering the question oforganizing an as
sociation in the interests Of agriculture.
That first meeting was small in num-
Der but large and liberal in spirit, and
the gentlemen there present at once re-
solved, that they would organize an ag-
ricultural and pomological association.
At this first meeting and other sub
sequent meetings, a constitution and
the necessary rules for its government
were adopted, the proper committees
we're appointed, regular officers elected,
and full organization was effected
1t is but justice here to state that
each committee has performed its duty
with intelligence and promptitude and
that the officers have not been found de-
icient in the performance Of any duty
which circumstance required of them,
as developments here to-day bear the
the fullest evidence.
In few months from the date of the
first meeting much labor has been per-
formed in obtaining subscriptions to the
stock, arranging the necessary premium
lists, procuring all the proper materials
for the inclosure, the construction Of the
stand and other buildings; in the erec-
tion of the same and otherwise improv-
ing and beautifying the grounds. And
though these arrangements and appoint
ments may not be in some respects as
extensive and complete as are to be
seen on some agricultural grounds Of
older date, it is hoped that they are
sufficient for the present exigency and
in view of the short space Of time allot-
ted to their preparation we think they
bear testimony to the energy of the
gentlemen having charge of this branch
Of our operations and that all will agree
that they afford an encouraging pros
pect for the future growth and prosper
ity of our infant association.
1t is contemplated, for our better
government, greater permanency and
fer the more efficient workings of our
association in its various objects and
to obtain a charter, at the
next session of the General Assembly.
This location is certainly a very fa-
vorable one for the full development Of
the objects contemplated by the gentle
men who have embarked in this most
laudable enterprise, and it is confident
y expected that by the next annual
meeting we will have in full operation
such an association as will be credita-
Die to its projectors, and managers,
worthy of the fine country in which it
9 located, and gratifying to all who
nave an interest in the development and
of agriculture and pome-
ogy. a..a
Our occupation as tillers Of the soil
$ certainly no less respectable or honor
lble than any other which ever engaged
be time and attention Of man.
If we consider the importance of agri-
'ukure in its reality, that it is iudispcn-
ible to the very existence Of the hu-
nan race and indeed all animal life, its
lignity and honor cannot be over esti-
mated and must be readily appreciated
There is something in mans nature
which adapts him for and delights him
. the improvement and cultivation Of
he soil.
1t is wisely ordered that if he will be
'ut dutiful to our common mother,
arth, and nourish and protect her, 50
$ to double or triple the blades of
'rass, or cause the growth Of green
rass where poverty grass grew before,
e will be haPp1 u thee connr@u oDiea Of
bat Khioh q p(61linl Mt Il