Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1878-10-30
ADDRESS
or Hon. ]. X. Lockwood, at the Agri-
cultural Frir, Oct. IL.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN 1T !:
in the character of an observer
that l address you to-day, and moi
as a practical farmer. With less
ability to carry on a farm thar
most Of you, yet like. a locker on
upon a checker board, l undertake
tossuggest improvements that may
be made upon the farm, though
that farm be in the hands of men
far wiser than myself in the science
of agriculture. | hope you will
receive my propositions in the
spirit in which they are given, and
act npon them so far and no farther
than your own better judgement
may indicate their truth and value.
All alike are interested in agri-
culture and its kindred pursuits.
1t is these that feed and clothe our
selves and families, and bring the
comforts that surround our homes.
The progress of all intelligent be-
ings depends largely upon these
physics aids, thus produced, as
much as the success of labor de-
ponds upon the intelligence with
which it is applied to the various
avocations of life. Every improve
ment in agriculture and of the me-
chanical arts, is a benefit to man
Kind, and especially to people
situated on the verge of civiliza-
ton and of the productive lati-
tudes of this continent as we are,
and in the very infancy of our
efforts at agriculture, and in eli
mate heretofore, until very recent
ly, supposed by large majority of
people to he beyond the limits of
production or profitable farming.
The highest hopes of mankind |
are centered in the advancement
of the physical sciences. 1t is in
their progress that we look for the
means to overcome ths greatest
evils that drag the world down.
wards. Science and skill in apply
ing the forces of nature to the
wants of mankind, must in time, re-
lieve the overtasked portion of our
race and crafty the universal de-
sire with all that can be made avail
able for their convenience, refine
ment and comfort. Agricultural
societies like the one we have Just
inaugurated in our county and
city, can be made the means OF
greatimprovement in agriculture.
They spread knowledge Of the
best methods of production, diff
fuse the best varieties of grain aud
fruits, and the best and most pro-
fitable kinds of stock. They call
attention to the general rule of the
kingdom that like pro-
duces like, and cause the producer
TO Gull out the earliest and best of
his productions for seed.
The knowledge Of one is made
the common property of all, and
each is made to stand on the van
tage ground gained by his neigh
Dor and his predecessor.
They excite noble emulation to
excel and promote the honor of
their calling. One of the hand
soonest achievements of Franklin. |
who did so much to honor the
American name, was writing the
word "Plaster" upon a meadow
with the powder of that article.
in few weeks the name could be
read in the luxuriant grass as far
away as the field could he seen,
which convinced the farmers of his
section of the importance of that
fertilizer.
The mind that conceived and the
hand that drafted the American
Declaration of Independence, that
rendered the name of Jefferson i'm
mortal, invented a plow on scienti-
fic principles and received the pre-
MUM awarded upon it at an agricul-
tural fair in France, while be was
enjoying the high position of Pres
ident of the United States.
Agricultural societies and fairs
are the instruments that cause the
introduction OF the best horses
cattle, swine and sheep. The stock
: once procured, it costs a farmer
but little more TO raise horse
worth from $3.50 to 5000 than it doe:
to raise one worth from s75 to 500
The profit of raising poor ami
NAL Of any kind is nothing; it has
eaten its head off by the time it Il
saleable. But good animals always
remunerate the producer by goot
profits. A farmer might grow ricf
ra;siao and fatteninU Loos of IN,