Year: 1865

| Belmont County Is well adapted to tn


stock business, and peculiarly so to the pro


ductien Of sheep and wool Our stock o


sheep has steadily increased for the pas


FIVE years, in both numbers and quality


until Belmont now ranks as the fourth Coun


ty in the State in point of numbers, ant


the third in valuation. | have not seen Oh,


Assessors returns for the current year, bu


doubtless the result will show that we hav,


in the County over 150, 900 sheep, with al


aggregate valuation of over six hundred


thousand dollars. The adaptation OF the
rich billy lands of Belmont County to tn,
sheep business is so apparent, that no argu


ment Is needed to elucidate the subject.


Although we have reached the very cred.
table point we have, in the production Of
sheep, we have scarcely commenced to FL


the measure of our capacity in this most
important branch OF Agricultural! industry.
The quality of our woods, has, within tbs
last ten years, been vastly improved, and
much of this improvement is due to the
exertions and influences Of our County and
State Fairs. The same may be said in re.
gard to the improvement in horses, cattle
and hogs. The best samples are brought
to the Fair to compete Tor the prize, and
are put upon exhibition to the congregated
multitude. Those interested, will of course,
as wise men, profit by the suggestions Of a
change of theory or practice in their mode
OF Agriculture and stock breeding. In fact,
such has been the improvement in stock
raising in Belmont County for the past ten
years, that feel satisfied in saying that the
experiment Of County Fairs has not been,
by any means, failure. But the Agricul-
tural interest is not the only one to be pro-
mOtcd by Agricultural Fairs The mechan-
lcal and manufacturing interests are SO
closely identified with that of Agriculture
that they can scarcely be separated and
who would desire it, if they could be? 1t
is to the mechanic and manufacturer, that
we are largely indebted for the glory and
grandeur of the State. A proper division
OF labor is the true theory of independence.


In Ohio, we have all the elements of in
dependence and happiness. Let these sew
eral interests be fostered and cared for, and
our canse will be onward. In the State We
have 25, BAL l,345 acres of land on the tax
duplicate. very large proportion of which
is not under cultivation, and consequently
unproductive Our hills, in large portion
of the Eastern part of the State, abound in
rich veins of coal and other minerals, which
are as yet almost wholly un1eveloped.-
These facts are standing invitations to the
capitalists, artisans, mechanics and manu-
facturers of less favored localities, to come
over and enjoy with US the rich treasures of
a goody land. All that is wanted now to
develope the vast resources of the country
which hitherto have remained almost en-
tirely unexplored and unproductive, is en-
terprise, capital, labor and skill. With
these, may it not be hoped that new i'm
petus will be given to the industrial pursuits
and permanent wealth of the County.


A superficial idea prevails with some that
actual labor is not just quite as respectable
as it might be; and they act upon that idea.
This theory may do for the person who has
an ample income, but its general tendency
is to poverty crime, and final disgrace. The
masses of the people of Ohio are, happily,
not afflicted with this infirmity. Industry
and frugalty are every where visible
throughout the length and breadth of the
State. To this fact is the State largely in
debted for its unexampled prosperity; and
it is our sure hope for the future df a
speedy development of the natural resources
of the State. Let us then press On with
this object steadily in view. 9


This is the fifth Annual exhibition Of the
Belmont Independent Agricultural Society,
and is believed to be one of its best. exhibi.
tions. Let the Society move steadily on;
not in opposition to the regular County
Fair, but in fair and honorable competi-
tion with it; and its salutary results will be
made apparent in blessings and benefits to
the people.