The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-10-02
Reported for THE GLoBE.l
JAMAICA AGRICULTURAL FAIR.
Address by Hon. Elliott C. Cowden Of Now
York-Award Of Premiums.

Address by Hon. Elliott C. Cowden of Now
York-Award Of Premiums.
The first annual fair of The Jamaica agfi-
cultural society was held ON Thursday, Sept.
23d. The day was favorable. The Graf
ton cornet ban arrived in good season, and
at an early hour people came pouring into
the village from all directions. All seemed
eager to participate in This. the first agri-
cultural lair ever held in Jambiea. The
fair ground aid floral hall we're well ar
ranged the exhibition was good excel
lent order prevailed and all were in good
humor. The speech was eloquent and APP
propliate. aud all were well pleased at the
result.
AT 2 O'Clock y. IN. a procession headed
by the band escorI.d tie speaker TO the
fair grounds, where q crowd was waiting,
many being draw bither by the announce
ment that the Hon. Elliot G. Cowden of
New York, II native Of Jamaica, was to de.
liver the address. Mr.. Cowden is a promi-
nent merchant of,be great lrupOlis, has
long been identified with the New England
society in New York, as it's president, and
is also conspicuous member of the Cham.
Der of Commerce in that city.
Major w. III. III. Holton, president Of
the society, introduced the orator of the
day in very neat and appropriate manner
AS he was presented, three hearty cheers
were given. Mr. Cowden then addressed
the society as follows:
a MIR oOwDEN's Address ,Hl
Mr. President, Ladts and Gentlemen =
| sincerely thank you for Tins generous
greeting 1t gives me great pleasure to
meet with you on. this occasion. 1t is in
deed gratifying to see so goodly number
of true hearted farmers assembled to inter-
change ideas and experiences in the various
branches OF agriculture and to partake of
the advantages here offered When l re-
ceived few weeks since the flattering in
vitation which briggs me before you, the
pressure of duties then and since deyolying
upon me, would have induced me to de-
cline any other application of like nature,
but an earnest desire To be useful in pro-
Noting the objects of your society, and
nv sense of the honor done the by sum
moning me after so long an absence, TO
once more visit this, my native town; so
endeared to me by the memories OF early
youth, and to address you on so interesting
an occasion Over-ruled all other consider-
atoms. ~ ,.i,-.
Mr.. Cowden then referred to the fact
that although engaged in the active pur-
suits of commercial life, snttching only a
day or two from time to time as best lie
| could for agricultural pursuits ut his sum-
s,,ar hor,a ha v,avarthol.,sc foil n nd
| abiding interest in them. After coiigrat-
ulating the society upon the success OF
this, its first fair, he said ''These herds
of superb cattle. comprising some of
the choicest breeds, whether for the
| yoke, the dairy or larder, this cavalcade of
horses fitted for all uses of profit, coveni-
| ence or pleasure this varied exhibition of
| grains, plants and fruits, adapted to sus-
tain the vigor and sa,isfy the appetite Of
man this display of choice and useful
| homemade articles, and more than all this
encircling throng of intelligent men and
| noble women. who raised the cattle and
trained these horses, and sowed and planted
| these grains and seeds, and produced this
fruit and made these articles, surely, surely
such scene IL entitled to the best words
of approval, admiration and applause. He
| then spoke of man as born TO labor but
mercifully endowed with capacities to
abridge that labor and multiply his COM
forts, and said that the laudable objects of
societies like this is to aid him by the gen.
erous diffusion of knowledge concerning
his principal employment, the cultivation
OF the earth. Reyerting TO the relative i'm
portance Of the various avocations of a
civilized people, he maintained that it was
hardly possible TO assign too high a posi-
| t,,t bat NJ - "A -
cluster all the other pursuits which dignity
and enrich nation. He affirmed that a
course of study or apprenticeship is as
requisite to make successful farmer as a
successful lawyer, physician or merchant,
and said, i venture to assert, gentlemen,
that 1t Is In this esprit that
your society has been organized,
and y, that YOU have assembled
to-day from your rugged hills and sunny
slopes-not merely to partake of the en-
4 joyments OF a farmers festival, but to pro-
lit by the advantages of this great school
of instruction. The first agricultural So
ciety in America was established IN South
CarOlinaip l7S4-a similar one 10 New
York i'm l791Aand in Mass achusetts In
l792-but now, happily, they abound all
over the land and as schools of mutual I'M
provement, stimulating pride and beget-
ting emulation, and disseminating and in
terchanging practical knowledge among
the tillers of the soil-they are of inestim-
able value.
He then paid tribute to Washington
and said that at everyiopportunity afforded
by busy life, he turned to agriculture as
delight, and finally, after peremptotily
refusing the use of bis name for a third
term OF the presidency, laying aside the
robes of office, he returned to Mount Yer
non to spend his declining years as the
foremost farmer of his country. He then
referred to Adams and Jefferson, Chancel.
lor Livingston and Chief Justice Jay, and
spoke Of their interest in and practice OF
agriculture. He spoke also of VanBuren
Willing away the last years of successful
political career among bis fields of grain
and herds of cattle a. Lindenwald,, and of
Webster, who was not more proud of his
grand achievements at the bar and in the
senate, than of being the successful and
scientific farmer of Marshfield. sl
The prime object of the farmer should
be 70 make his farm by judicious culture
as profitable as possible, to secure the
greatest products with the smallest outlay,
while at the same time preserving Q con-
stantly improving SOIL rs.e,
The progressive farmer sees the necessi-