The Lafayette gazette. [volume] (Lafayette, La.) 1893-1921, 1896-01-25
THE A6RIcULTURlsTs
OF the State society Hold Their
Tenth Annual Session at
Lafayette.

OF the State Society Hold Their
Tenth Annual Session at
Lafayette.
At noon last Wednesday Hon.
Jno. Dymond, of Plaquemines par
ish, called the tenth annual session
of the State Agricultural Society to
order. The ceremonies were open
ed by prayer by Rev. F.. Forge OF
this place.
Hon. Chas. D. Caffery delivered
the following address of welcome:
MR.. cAFFERY's ADDRESS.
Azr. President and Gentlemen Of tie Louis
lana Agricultural Soeieky..
On the part of our local authorities, and
indeed, sirs, on behalf of all the people Of
this community, tender to you here cordial
greeting and hearty welcome. We take
note of the fact that in the Aselection of La
fayette as your place of meeting there is inn
Piled compliment to of no little signif-
canoe, and one which we duly appreciate.
we are G. lad to have YOU come, and to hear
for ourselves your discussions of those great
questions pertaining to the object of your
society, which undoubtedly are of vital inn
Portance to the whole people.
But apart from our desire to welcome in
our midsts you, and all other visitors, who
the more for US to do when we consider
your calling and the purposes for which you
are organized. You agriculturists, asso-
ciated for the promotion and advancement
of agricultural pursuits in their various
phases, and as such should receive encour-
agement and applause from all other classes
and callings. 1t is not out of place for me
here to say that men of your calling are ssof
the salt of the earth;'' more than any other
one class do they earn their living by the
sweat of their brow. 1t is fact, also,
which no one will dispute. that your interests
are SO interviewer with those of the whole
people as to be inseparable. Your success
means prosperity for all, while disaster and
depression in your ranks are felt throughout
the land When abundant crops and fair
prices reward the farmers toll, then it is
that all society is benefited and all mankind
rejoices. This cannot be said of any other
class or calling. it is applicable to you alone.
l take occasion also, Mr.. President and
members OF the society, to congratulate you
riculturists in the path of better, thorough
and scientific farming in this State in the
past few years, and there can be no doubt
that one of the reasons is found in your
or of earnest, thoughtful men composing
your membership has put Louisiana abreast
of her sister States in this respect and it
should be the source of universal pride that
such is the case. The application of scienti-
nc principles and common sense to practical
farming has brought this about and it is safe
to say, the near future has for you
more substantial results. Agriculture, it has
been said, involves larger number of
sciences than any other human employment
or profession, and demands from its follow
ers corresponding study and application.
Your calling, slrs is the oldest and most in
dependent of all pursuits and is first among
the arts in Importance, but has been the
last to acknowledge its dependence
science. great English painter was once
asked with what h. mixed his paints and his
answer was 'swith brains, sir, with brains.'
You have of late years been mixing your
soil with brains, and it is hoped the good
work may go on.
But, Mr.. President and Gentlemen, you
will pardon for referring to another
question concerning your welfare, and one
that is the marketing of your crops. Here
is where the farmer has in the past been un-
fairly dealt with, and has failed to receive
that which is honestly his. This is another
question demanding your best thought and
action. Having raised and harvested your
crops by honest toll, the times would seem
to be out of joint, when others reap the bene-
fit. There can be no question but that prices
of agricultural products are depressed by
unnatural, and l may say unlawful causes.
Combinations and trusts manipulate the
market and play with prices, the aim of it
all being 10 depress the price of the raw ma
terial. But these things are chang ing; in
tellectual effort and business methods
commanding for agriculturists 4 sure place
in the commercial world we'll in the
domain of the sciences. We congratulate
you upon what you have accomplished in
this regard and wish you full measure of
success all along the line.
In conclusion permit me again to welcome
you and all to town and to express
the hope that you may take away with you
none but the pleasantest resolutions.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Caffery's
eloquent address of welcome, Mr..
Gustave V. Soniat, of Jefferson,
responded for the association. Mr..
Soniat expressed the appreciation
of the society for the hospitable treat
ment given the members of that
body by the people of Lafayette.
In choice language he thanked Mr..
Caffery for his kind words and as
sured him that they fell on appre-
ciative hearts.
Hon. Jno. Dymond read his an
nual address, which was instructive
in high degree and interesting to
people engaged in all callings. We
regret that we are not able to publish
the presidents address in full, as we
are confident that it would prove in
teresting to the people of this parish.
1t was then proposed to appoint
~. foIlou,;no cou,n,itteeS In the