Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1890-02-06
in whole or in part by the

State.
Europe led in this, and it is impossi
BILE to estimate the effect upon the agri.
culture of England, and indeed of the
world, of the institution at Rothamp-
stead, conducted by Lawes & Gilbert.
Scarcely inferior to this is the work of
the German Stations, in which the pains
taking care for which their race is
nOted, has extended to every minutia of
the experiments, and the results are very
valuable, and have permeated to great
degree the entire agricultural literature
of the present.
But European stations could not an
swer the question arising peculiar to
American agriculture and so stations
have been established all over this coun-
try. Not the least successful of these
is our own Ohio Experiment Station. Its
corps of officers are able men, and de-
voted to their work. Its results are
published and sent freely to any farmer
of the State. Any one who is not al
ready receiving its reports should send
his address to the Station, with request
for reports, and they will be sent We
should see to it that the State literally
sustains it. How much better that the
revenues of the State be used in this
work than to go to increase the salaries
of State officials, where they will be
largely used for the corruption of our
elections. In addition to all these we
have the Farmers Institutes. These,
originating in Ohio, where they have
been more successful than in other
States, have been powerful factor in
agricultural intelligence. 1t is the OBJ
ject of all these Institutes to awaken
thought 1t is not so much their busi-
ness to give specific directions to meet
definite occasions as to teach principles;
to show what effect may be expected to
follow certain causes, and to lead the
individual to intelligently plan his ope-
rations to suit his peculiar Circumstance
es and necessities, as to enable the farm
er to stand alone. Sheer at book farm
ing as men may, yet the fact remains
that only those farmers who are keeping
squarely abreast of the times, are max
ing any money. We believe that the
distress and hard times of which farm
ers are now complaining, arises very
largely from failure of the farmer to
adapt his system of management to his
changed circumstances.
There is demanded at present broad
intelligence among farmers. They have
not had the voice and influence in shap-
ing public affairs, to which their num-
bers entitle them. If we are to secure
the passage of just and wholesome laws,
affecting the prosperity of the people,
we must have more farmers and arti-
sans and fewer lawyers in our legisla-
tive halls. But if we are to be repre-
sented by farmers, they must be intelli-
gent farmers. 1t will not do to send an
ignoramus to the Legislature, simply
because he is farmer. We must send
men versed in political economy-stu-
dents of history, men of brains, able to
cope with the brightest intellects in 9TH
er pursuits of whose acts we will
not be ashamed, and men who will not
be made the dupes and tools of design
ing men. Can we furnish the men?
1 believe we can. But we must remem-
Der that these qualities are not natural
endOwments, but are the result of study
and persevering application.
If we could reach the ears of every
boy who contemplates becoming farm
er, we would impress upon him the i'm
portance of securing as liberal an edu-
cation as circumstances will allow
We do not mean that every farmer
should be college bred, for college ed
ucatiOn is something like fine clothes or
fine horses, not every one can afford to
wear the one or drive the other; so not
every one can afford college education.
Bnt every one who can afford it should
secure it. Would it not be better for
parent to give his son but ninety acres
give him one hundred acres with linn
tied common school education? Not
that he could make more money, but
that his influence and ability to do good
in the community wOud be much great
er. This education and training should
not be alone in those sciences which ef-
feet agriculture, but should embrace the
general range of science and literature,
that there may be produced a man of
cultivation, rather than cultivator of
the soil alone.
And now, ladies and gentlemen, that
our energies may be quickened, and our
intellects frightened, we welcome you
to the enjoyment of, and participation
in the discussions of this Institute.
At the conclusion of the Presidents
which was well received, the
was completed by selecting
as Vice Presidents, Smith Hirst, L. B.
Steer, Hon. VIM. Bundy, E. d. Scatter
day, VIM. Nichols, John Atkinson, w.
A. Merritt, and ]. J. Taggart; Assist
ant Secretaries, d. H. Milligan, of the
Gazette, and E. l.. Mcmillan, of THE
The programme was opened by dis
cussion on 'Our ROads-HOw can they
be improved?"
George Scott, of Mt. Pleasant, intro
duced the question in a few well chosen
in which he favored pixies as
the solution of the present lawful" con
lition of roads.
J. C. Mercer reviewed the improve
nent in other lines, and lamented the
want of progress in this line. Advocated
4 special tax for construction of roads
mder contract system and abolition of
the two days labor.
T. ]. Henderson read rough draft Of
a law which he proposed should be pass
I'd modifying the present system some
what, placing the entire authority in the
hands of the Township Trustees, and
still maintain the two days labor system.
After the noon adjournment the sub
ect of roads was again revived and dis
,ussion continued. Calvin Pollock being
Unable to be present, sent paper embo-
lying his views, which was read by the
Mr.. p. thought pixies too ex-
and the trouble could be averted