Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1875-10-01
FAIR or THE JAMAICA AGRICUB-
TURAL SOCIETY.
Thursday, sept. esd.

rich ana poor, seemed eager 10 ENJOY luls
first fair in Jamaica, and none were disap-
pointed. The fair grounds and floral hall
were well arranged; the exhibition was
good excellent order prevailed the speech
was eloquent and appropriate; aud all
seemed pleased.
At2 z. NJ. a procession, headed by the
band escorted tho speaker TO the grounds,
where throng was waiting many Of them
having been drawn out by the announce
ment that Hon. Il. e. Cowdin, a native Of
Jamaica, would make the address. Mr..
CowdiIis Il prominent merchant Of New
York, and haslUng been identified with the
New England Society of New York, and
for some years was its president, and is
now a conspicuous member of the Cham
Der OF Commerce. Maj. w. ii. ii. llOlton,
President Of the Sncidly, Introduced the
orator OF the day in a neat aud eloquent
speech As his name was mentioned, it
was received with tlIee hearty cheers.
Mr.. Cuwdin then delivered the following
ADDRESS.
Mr.. President, Ladies' did Gcaticmea:-
| sincerely thank you for this generous
greeting. 1t gives me great pleasure to
be with you OF this occasion. 1t is Indeed
gratifying 10 see 50 gOodly number Of
true-hearled farmers assembled 10 inter-
change ideas and experiences in the vari-
Gus branches OF agriculture, aud TO plrtake
of the advantages here offered. When l
received, few weeks since, the 1laliering
invitation which brings me before you, the
pressure of duties, then aud since devolv-
ing upon me would have induced me TO
de slime any other application Ola like ma
ture but an earnest desire to be useful in
promoting the objects of your society and
my sense of the honor done me by sum
moning me, alter so long an absence, TO
once more visit this, my native town, 50 en-
deared to me by the memories OF early
youth, and 10 address you ON so interest
ing an occasion, Overruled all other eonsid-
eratious. Mr.. Cowdin then referred 10 the
fact, that, although engaged in the active
pursuits of commercial life, snatching only
a day or two rom time to time, as best he
could, for agricultural pursuits at his sum
mer home, he nevertheless felt deep and
abiding interest in them. After congratu-
lating the society upon the success OF this
its irst fair, he said: "These herds of SUI
perb cattle, comprising some Of the choicest
breeds, whether for the yoke, the dairy or
the larder; this cavacadc of horses, fitted
for all uses of profit, convenience or pleas
ure; this varied exhibition of grams,
plants and fruits adapted 10 sustain the
vigor and satisfy the appetite Of man this
display OF choice and useful homemade ar
ticles; aud more than all, this encrcling
throng of intelligent men and noble wo-
men, who raised these cattle, aud trained
these horses, and sowed and planted these
gains ard seeds, and produced this fruit,
and made these articles; surely, surely,
such a scene is entitled to the best words
of approval, admiration and applause"
He then spoke of man rs born to labor, but
Incredibly endowed with capacities to
abridge that labor and multiply his COM
forts, aud said that the laudabe object Of
societies like this is to aid him by the gen
erous diffusion of knowledge concerning
his principal employment, the cultivation
of the earth. Reverting to the relative i'm
portanco. of the various Gvocations OF civ
ilized people, he maintained that ii is hard
ly possible TO assign too high a position to
that of agriculture, for around it cluster oil
the other pursuits which dignity and en-
rich nation. He affirmed that course of
study or apprenticeship is as requisite TO
make q successful farmer as successful
lawyer, physician or merchant, and said !;
II venture 10 assert, gentlemen, that it is
in this spirit that your society has been or
gained, and that you have assembled 10.
day, from your rugged hills and sunny
slopes, not merely to partake of the enjoy
mentS Of farmers festival, but ~ profit
by the advantages Of this great school OF
instruction. The first Agricultural Society
in America was established in South Caro-
lima in 1884, q similar one in New York in
1871, and in Massachusetts in 1892; but
now, happily, they abound all over the
land, rs schools of mutual improvement,
stimulating pride and begetting emulation
and disseminating and interchanglug prac-
Teal knowledge among the tillers OF the
soil, they are OF inestimable value"
He.bcn paid tribute TO Washington aud
said that at every opportunity afforded by
busy life, he turned to agriculture as a
delight; and finally, after peremptorly re-
fusing the use of his name for third term
OF the presidency, laying aside the robes Of
Office, he returned 10 MI. Vernon 10 spend
his declining years as the foremost favored
of his country. lie then referred TO Adams
and Jefferson, Chancellor Livingston and
Chief Justice Jay, and spoke OF their in
terest in, aud practice OF agriculture. He
spoke also OF Van Euren willing away the
last years of Il successful political career
among his fields of grain and herds Of cat
tie at Underwood and of Webster, who
was not more proud of his great achieve
ments ut the bar and in the senate than of
being the successful and scientific farmer
of M9rshfeld
The prime object of the farmer should be,
to make his farm, by judcious culture, as
profitable as possible, to secure the greatest
product with the smallest outlay, while, al
the same time, preserving constantly inn
proving soil. The progressive farmer sees
the necessity OF collecting books and form
ing library as best he can of taking some
reliable agricultural newspaper and devot-
ing portion of his time TO study and re-
Election of thoroughly educating himself
concerning ferilizing, rotation of crops
deep blowing, sub-soiling, understanding
surface draining and agricultural cheinis-
i,,sr nj Ias ha
"Farmers of Vermont, l counsel you to
pause and reflect leiore you undervalut
the position you occupy or willingly per-
NIT your sons to do so. By more zealously
lasking your minds to think and study,
and your hands TO apt experiments as well
as to daily labor, l venture TO assert thai
many of you, gentlemen, may vastly in.
crease the value and productiveness o
your farms" lie then made strong ap'
peal 10 the young men OF the country, al
firming that no class in any country OF the
world, is so thoroughly independent. pos
sesSes so many real comforts, and has sc
little occasion for anxiety and discomfort
connected with their vocation as the farm
ers of America.
He then urged the members of the sOcie-
ty to enlist their wives and daughters in
its behalf, and recommended that they
should grace the meetings with their pres
ecne and take lively interest in all thei
plans. Appealing To them, he said, LA
dies, by all means cultivate flowers anC
thereby elevate the sentiments and i'm
prove the characters of your husbands
brothers and sons. See 10 1t also, that shade
| trees and fruit trees afe adjacent to you
| dwellings, and let such cheap and health
full luxuries as strawberries and grapes
blaekbe and currants, abound in your
gardens" The speaker then concluded hi
| elaborate address substantially as follows
"Many years ago 1t was my privilege Il
meet In Paris and enjoy the companionshil
of the Rev. DIR. Henry Coleman, WIFI
passed several years in Europe as Agricul
| iural Commissioner Of Massachusetts, ant
whose able and instructive reports occupy
high rank in iheagrieultural literature o
| America. While carefully investigating
| everything of importance relating TO th,
cultivation of the soil, he did not fail tC