The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-01-07
THE AGRICULTURAL BOARD.
Opening OF the Thirty.Third Annual
Meeting neutrality-suspicious. or
Committees and Reports OF On.
eers-The Presidents
Address.
Addresses by Professor Hall, Presi-
dent Smart and Professor Webster
The S-ecreraryship.

State Delegate Board Of Agriculture opened
at 1890 O'Clock yesterday morning, with all
the members in attendance. After ~roll-call
President Mitchell appointed L. B. Custer.
William Grim. w. u. Cochran, y. B. New
man and II La Tourette a Committee on
Credentials. After tTansacting some other
routine business the board adjourned till
I:30 p. m.
Upon reassem5ling. President Mitchell de-
livered his annual address. The President
said that the State had been abundantly
blessed; the wheat crop reached 1851 900
the oat crop was the largest ever produced
in Indiana; the corn crop was good, and
yielded 23,5s1,117 bushels. THE
financial condition of the board"
says the President, 'is about the
same as in my last annual address. The
gross receipts of the State Fair were S2i,
429.40, and the gross expenditures were
So. 7O2 so, so but a small balance was lett
over the current expenses. The bonded
debt is $4,000, and the interest annually &C
cruing is 81, 100. Thus the prospect OF the
indebtedness being soon wiped out is not
encouraging" The grounds are said to be
too small for the accommodation of ex-
hibitcrs, and il does not appear advisable to
increase the indebtedness by purchasing
more ground. He invites the attention OF
the board TO this subject and asks that il be
well considered. The recommendation is
made hat relief be sought from the Legis-
lalure. The President also refers
10 the discomfort which existed
among a certain class of exhibitors at
the close of the fair Of 1888, and says: But |
ann bsppy 10 say that all discomfort among
that class of exhibitors has disa ppeared and
the best Of feeling prevails, as evidenced by
their Grand exhibit and hearty cooperation
at the last State Fair Many of the manu-
facturers have erected beautiful buildings
for their exhibits. and others are making ar
rangemeDts TO build. which adds much to
the comfoit of that class of exhibitors. and
also makes q saving 10 the board" He urged
the importance of Indiana attempting q fat
stock show. thereby bringing into public
notice the capabilities and f~acIliSies for
producing and banding the product OF the
different sections of the country. he spoke
of the active and practical work of the IN
dustrisl associations and of the Importance
OF Indiana being properly represented at
the Worlds Exposition at New Orleans. He
made al appeal to the farmers in behalf
of Purdue University, urging that better
patronage and support be given TO the col
lege. State GeolDgist Collett was compli-
menteo Tor his labor in making the last
fair a success. The passage of stringent
laws against the adulteration of food and
medicine was recommended He suggested
also that the attention of the Legislature be
called TO the inferior work the result of
convict labor sent into the State and sold TO
farmers. he alluded especially TO the Ten
nessee wagons made by convicts and adver-
tIsed as frst-class. He thought all such
nrterial should be branded. In conclusion
conferred upon him. The address was re-
ferred TO q committee, with instructions to
report on the suggestions therein made.
Alexander Heron. as Secretary of the
Board, submitted his report, showing re-
ceipts from all sources $50, 29I. 50: expendi-
lures, ? 7.341.9 "a. leaving a balance on hand
of 81 ,949.6S. Then follows q detailed state
mentof the expenses for repairs, advertising,
the bonded debt, and other matters.
Sylvester Johnson, Treasurer, made his re-
port, but it embraced nothing of interest not
found in the Secretary's.
The reports OF the several Superintendent
OF Departments At the. State Falr were sab
mitted and referred.
Professor Hall, of Franklin College, adj
dressed the board upon the subject: 1.-The
Farmer and Higher Education" He said
that he was not q practical farmer, but when
wearied with study be loved to turn to the
country and find rest IN contemplating the
work OF the farmer. AS he had travelled
over the State he had found that the farmer
did not think the higher education was Of
practical value 10 him as a farmer. he knew
this, because he had frequently argued with
them. in order that their Sous might be kept
IN college. A large number take the ground
that higher education is of no value to their
sons and daughters. They take the ground
that the higher education is of value only 10
those who are going into the learned profess
sions. Professor Hall said his own ex-
Ierienee taught him that the farmer
and the farmers son needed the higher
education Just as much as Others.
What farmers need is not more natural abil-
ity, but a disciplined mind aud a drilled in
tellect. that they may master the business
of their occupation, which IS not only an
sTt bat q science. With such discipline the
farmers would not be overcome by the light
ning-rod shark or the patent-ehain man.
Again, the farmer is under an obligation to
support the seats OF learning. Could the
speaker have his way there would be Toys
and glrlL from every county IN the State
pouring into Purdue University. The
speaker closed with 81 eloquent appeal for
a higher education among the SONS aud
daughters OF the farming class. He empha-
sized the Tact that II was necessary for the
farmer to awaken lf he did not wish TO be
left behind in the great march of intelii-
Genee. On motion of Hon. Will Cumback,
. rising vote of thanks was extended 10 the
speaker.
Professor Smart. President of Purdue Uni
versiiy. followed in a discussion on the sub
Jet. What Can Our Agricultural College
10 Tor the Farmers OF Our State?' Professor
Smart said that he wss prepared TO speak
Dnt q lev minutes. He said that the Uni
Verslty farm was used as an experiment
station, sDd the result of these experiments
sre 10 be published aud distributed over the
state. Bulletins Nos. I and , were distribu-
Ted among Tue members which, Professor
Smart said, would be foand more interesting
than ANYTHING he could say, even IL he
sbould talk Tor three hours.
Professor Webster. 8 member Of the faculty
OF Purdue University. was then introduced
aDd spoke Of the destructive influences Of
insects, ~eonnning his remarks 70 their
destruction of corn and small grain. He
said the country lost ~snpually $500, 000, 600
BY the Tayases OF insects, and that Indiana
sloue lost 100000. He illustrated his ad-
dress by charts, showing localities, extent Of
damacaa etc