The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-11-27

IiTTTIUr UlTFIyT and in fact, we thought it impossible; but, when he stated 1t could be done, and that he would lead the move ment, all doubts were dispelled, and we and the people of Montgomery looked for a Fair that would distance all past efforts. 1 take pleasure, Mir. Vandiver. in saying to you that you gave to us the greatest exposition the South ever saw.
 T now have the honor and the pleasure to present to you this beauti- full cup, and ask you to accept with ! 1t. from each of us, our assurances of esteem, love and confidence, and our best wishes for fong life, happiness and continued prosperity"
 In acceptance of the cup, President Vandiver made fitting acknowledge
 meht of his gratitude to the Directors for their expression of esteem. He ex- tended his thanks to the members of the Board who had worked faithfully with him in the furtheranca of the State Fair He also paid a tribute to the farmer, and spoke of the need for advancing agricultural pursuits, refer ring again to the project advanced for the first time during one of his speeches at the State Fair, of securing an appropriation from the State Log islature for premiums, as an incen- tive to greater effort ion the part of the farmer As he addressed the as- s@mblage, President Vandiver was deeply affected. He said:
 "Gentlemen; fellow associates of the Alabama Agricultural Association:
 "Of the kind sentiments, so eloquent ly expressed by your speaker, l feel I am unworthy. To clothe in adequate and fitting language my deep and sim cere appreciation. confess I am not capable. Permit me to say am truly grateful. To feel that nay efforts have been appreciated by my fellow man, and to feel that have been enlisted In cause that has already, and will further rebound to the benefit of my State and my people, Is most gratify- ing.
 Tt Is with a feeling of mingled pride and pleasure that I accept this beautiful testimonial of your frieneship
 and esteem. Pride. because of the
 conseiOusness that, as President of the
 Alabama Agricultural Association, | have aided so very materially fin the
 Organization and successful culmina-
 ton of thls enterprise. Pleased, be-
 cause I feel q deep qualification in knowing my humble efforts have been | received with appreciation by those
 with whom I have been so closely con-
 nected. -..:.
 ''The organization of the Alabama Agricultural Association was the result
 of noble impulses and loyal devotion
 to the interests of our State. The un-
 deriving motive which actuated those
 who have worked so faithfully in the
 cause was not one of narrowminded lpecuniary gain, but desire to lend aid
 in the up-building and uplifting of
 our commonwealth.
 Tt Is a known fact that a very great proportion of our resources are deriv-
 ed from agricultural pursuits and
 those kindred industries immediately
 allied thereto. It Is also a fact that
 does not permit of argument that noth- ling presents a more stimulating effect
 upon any industry than the fact that
 rivalry or competition exists It is
 beyond question that observation and
 practical demonstration lendR mora
 towards education than, does theory or
 hyp0thesiG Thus, the opportunity of assembling annually the products of field, farm and orchard is calculated to
 lend a f0rwsrd impetus. the result of which, like the influence of a good character, leads on to higher and bet ter things in a slow, but very sure way.
 "In this section of our State, agric- ulture holds predominant sway. All of our institutions, commercial, social and even religious, are largely dependent upon 1t. The elevation and promotion of this branch of our commercial exis- tence carries with 1t relative and pro- portionate development of all those things which tend to make our com munities better. The principal com mercial centres of our State must look for their support, more or less, to the products of the soil We are prone to overlook the source of all our we'll being, and fail to place the credit where it rightly belongs. Our agtic- uItural classes need, and will appre- ciate every interest shown in their ef- forts to build up this great industry to higher state of efttciency!
 Tt is estimated that at laest one half of the entire population of the United States is engaged, either direct iY or indirectly in the cultivation ot the soil, and that at least one half of the capital of the country is invested in farms and their belongings and when we come to the question of inc tellIgence, patriotism and good citizen ship the agricultural people stand out today pre-eminent. The farmer is, or should be, the most independent of all classes of people but our Southern farmers need encouragement and help
 at the hands of those with whom they come in business contact. There Is no way In which ChlS assistance eau pc more effectively rendered than afford 1 ing opportunities for them to exhibit their products and learn from obserVa'
 ton what their neighbors are doing They thus see the necessity of diversi. | hcatinn of crops: the revolutionizeC methods of planting, cultivatinE and
 harvesting their products, and the ur- | gent need of studying the best anC
 most economical and practical means
 of marketing their crops. Our farmers nave. in recent years. made great pro gress along scientific lines, but 1t re | mains for the people of the South t'
 aid and encourage them.
 | "The Fair recently held in Mont romery under the auspices Of your As
 sociation was one of the most success fuI ever held in the South. and its bene fits will Go on and on. each successiv' year. showing greater advancement IT l enhance this interest. there must b more attractive premiums offered t' compensate for the enormous amoun
 of work and expense entailed in thu preparation. collection and proper ex Ihibition of farm products To move
 msut whose effects are so general an \ aa--