Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-10-16
State Board Of Agriculture.

Messrs Editors Feelings of chagrin, mingled
with some degree OF indignation, arose in my
mind on learning, through the columns OF your
DAILY JOURNAL OF the opposition manifested by
some members Of the House to an appropriation
for the benefit OF the State Board OF Agriculture
an Institution which in my opinion has DONE and
is still doing more for the benefit OF agriculture
during the time II has existed since its first in
ception as Il state institution, than all the agr-
cultural fairs in the state as at present conducted
For unlike them 1t is no pent-up institution
guarded by sentinels at each portal, who exact
an entrance fee, though small it may be-yet in
the aggregate amounting to a large sum- to be
for the most part, at least, lavishly paid to the
owners Of racing horses in purses of hundreds of
dollars, more or less which 80 far from being OF
any benefit to mankind at large, are an intoler-
able nuisance, by consuming large amount OF
food, which would under other circumstances be
fed to the more useful animals of the farm, while
the farmer who spends years OF patient toll in
getting up blooded animals of the various kinds
OF farm stock, for the benefit OF himself and
future generations may possibly receive from
three to five, or possibly eight dollars for the
different classes of farm stock he may have on
exhibition, while his wife, the neat and tidy dairy
woman will be awarded the muniicent sum of
fifty cents to one dollar for as nice tub OF gilt
| edged butter az ever tempted the palate of the
incest epicure The same may be said of cheese
or any OF the rich articles on exhibition in floral
| or mechanics hall-all of which lend their nfu-
ence in favor OF a laudable emulation in each to
excel the other in all the productions of the farm
| the workshop or the sciences of various kinds
Then why not increase this healthful influence by
distributing premiums to exhibitors for the pro-
duction OF articles OF acknowledged worth and real
benefit TO mankind?
But as long as the evil OF horse-racing exists in
connection with our agricultural fairs, let us, by
all means, extend fostering care over our State
| Board OF Agriculture, whose doors are always
open for free entrance to every son and daugh-
ter of our state to participation or to listen to the
various discussions and essays on the numerous
| improvements and suggestions there being dis
cussed and can truly say that ! always gain
and treasure up more or less that will act as an
| incentive to agricultural improvement, so much
so that whenever the State Board Of Agriculture
of our sister state of New Hampshire holds SEES
sions in her westerly border towns, always avail
myself OF the opportunity to attend. therefore
hope that member Of our legislature will be so
penurious ~ 10 refuse necessary appropriation
Tor no laudabe an object For myself, would much
rather the avais of Senator Morrills college land
| DILL or hOHt portion Oh III hnouiu DC ustu vi "
could legally be done) TO increase the usefulness
OF our State Board OF Agriculture than to have 1t
remain AZ II now is-in no condition TO benefit the
farming community whatever, but, on the con-
trary 10 bolster up and support class Of students
who delight In casting obloquy and terms OF re-
proach upon the very class who furnish them
with their means of subsistence. Allow me- be
fore closing to express thanks to the member
from Bradford (Mr. Bliss for the early introduce
ton OF his tramp bill" While ! heartily ap
prove of the main features OF the bill, there are
two clauses which, In my opinion, are objection
| able The first Is the offer OF a bounty Tor the
arrest OF tramps-think any man would be willing
to arrest all tramps who may be found trespass
ing on his premises providing the state will pro
tect him In so doing The second Objectionable
feature is putting the cost OF arrest, trial anc
commitment upon the town wherever the arres
Is made. Such course would be an inducemen
TO run tamps from our own TO neighboring towns
, and thereby relieve our own town OF the attend
ing cost Let the magistrate before whom tn,
tramp Is examined issue To the necessary Office
a mittmus for the.commitment To prison. also Is
sue his ordero on the state treasurer for an amour
sufficient 10 cover the cost WILLIAM CHILD
Eairlae October IA 1879