Year: 1869

tigated that will task the mightest intellect
to unfold-and what has brought about this
great change? One OF the principal agencies
is found in the fact that mind has come in
contact with our farmers and mechanics and
learned men, have met each other face to face
and discussed those great elementary princi-
pies that underle all progress. Those princi-
ples have been reduced to practice. The ex-
bibitions of ones skill in rearing the noble
horse-or the muscular OK, or the beautiful
COW has suggested to another, that by the
application of the same principle he
NAV secure like results. Hence this thirst
for more information. Farmers clubs were
formed, which have grown into county and
State societies. And last, through not least,
the New England Society came into existence
all tending to one great emu, ana securing the
must desirable results.


In the early part of the year correspondence
was opened with your society by the
Maine State Society in relation to holding
your exhibition the present hear in Maine.
By the magnanimous liberality of Portland
the State Society were enabled to offer you
terms so favorable that on the 28th of April
last at meeting held at the Parker House,
Boston,yo voted to accept them and the work
of making the necessary preparations was del
egated to the local society, in connection with
yeur executive officers.


1t was fair to presume that as Maine was the
youngest of the sisterhood of the New England
States her older sisters would have some cu-
rons desire to look upon her youthful vigur.
Hence liberal preparations were early projected
to accommodate this curiosity. But the en-
tries made with the Secretary at an early day,
were so numerous that it became necessary to
enlarge our borders to meet the passing de-
mand for room, so that now the entries for
live stock exceed fourteen hundred. You
come down upon us like an avalanche and
bors on the north with the Governor General
at their head desirous to enjoy the sport have
closed upon us in the rear and we are yours.
Nevertheless Mr.. President and gentlemen
of New England and the Provinces, we sur
render with grace. In behalf of the State So
ciety and the citizens generally we cordially
welcome you to our homes and fresides We
welcome you to the occupancy of all these
grounds and fixtures and hall accommodations
for the holding of your show and fair.


REPLY. OF DIR. LoRNG.


Mr.. President and Gentlemen,-There is
nothing more agreeable than cordial recep-
tion under favorable circumstances. The kind
welcome of the President of the Maine State
Agricultural Society, of itself opens the
way fo- an agreeable session of the New Eng.
| land Society, and sustained as his words are


by the spirit and labors of great agricultural
State, think they may be received by US al


tha opening of a pleasant, successful ani


prohtable exhibition. We have every reason


to be gratIf1d with our kind and hearty greet


ing, and it hespecially satisfactory when We


consider the naure and character of the insti


tuition which we represent. The New Eng


land Agricultural Society was founded mainly


on the principle of Cooperation. Occupying .


territory aoundantly supplied with simila


assoclatiens, 1t commenced it's career for tn


purpose OF raising and stimulating these asso


Citations into new life, and not to an.agonize


or interfere, or establish rivalry with them


1t was for the purpose of exciting the fnteres


Of the agricultural societies of New England


that this society was founded, and in the sixth
year of its existence it finds itself welcome


wherever it goes. On this account am en-
| couraged to believe it hos performed its par
| we'll


1t is agreeable, moreover, to be invited to
State so largely agricultural as that in which
we have now assembled. The vast natural re
sources of this great territory known as the
State of Maine have thus far furnished occu
patton for all those who would rely upon the
forests, the field and the hill sides for a sub
sistence In some of the primitive and whole
sale branches of agriculture Maine undoubt
ly takes the lead. Her virgin soil produces
with a liberality unknown to older and more
exhausted sections, all the staple crops of
northern latitude. Her pastures are still lux.
uriant. Her hay crop is of almost spontane.
GUS growth. She is the natural home of the
potato. The smaller grains flourish in hel
valleys in q way to rival almost the fertile
prairies of the West. The abundance and
cheapness of her winter forage has enabled he1
to support cattle of an ample growth, and she
has leaned upon the resources of her soil with
confidence which neither cold, nor heat, MOI
drought, nor frost has yet shaken.


Whatever may be her future, she now pre-
sents an agricultural population devoted tc
the land, possessed of strong rival qualities
and characteristics and strongly devoted to ey.
cry enterprise and effort which may elevate
and develop their calling. 1t is peculiarly
grateful to be kindly received by such a peo.
pie, and to know that among the institutions
which they deem fitted to their purposes
among their agricultural societies and colleges
stands this association which we endeayer to
represent.


Let me congratulate you on the opening
prospect of your exhibition. Never have we
been called upon to sit in Judgment upon q
collection SO large and so various as that
which is now submitted to our investigation,


1t was hardly to be expected that the remote
sections ofNew England would in any way be
represented here: but I find its farthest west
ern verge has sent its contribution and has
joined with the east in this peaceful rivalry.
1t is evident that not only is the interest in our
society increasing, but that its influence is
more generally felt in our aocks and herds and
crops. Here State vies with State, and farm
with farm, and know you will all rejoice that
our brethren of the colonies have entered into
competition with us, and that Canada sends her
farmers with their cattle upon these grounds;
the pioneers, trust of more intimate relations
which may be of benefit to us and them
and the counsellor we hope of the chief exec
utlve Magistrate of that great colony, who IA
vors us with his presence to-day and finds his
own people SO intimately associated with our
own in all the arts of peace.


The duty that devolves upon me at the close
OF the exhibition-a duty which would glad
ly have imposed upon the Governor of this
State, renders it improper that should oc-
cupy any more time at the commencement
shall then call your attention with considera-
bic care and elaboration to the DEVELOPMENT of
American industry, and trust that observa-
tions made on these grounds and in the halls.
devoted to your purposes, will serve to con-
hrm the views, shall then present to you of
our power and resources as people.


Let ME urge upon you in conclusion, dill
gence and method in the performance of the
task before you. And may we proye our-
selves worthy of this generous receptiou which
has been extended to us by the President of
the Maine society in behalf of the farmers of
this great and promising State.


AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS


The great tent, 200 80 feet in size. accom-
modates an immense number of agricultural
implements of every size and kind, and it is
here that you see the farmers inspecting care
fully the various improvements displayed. for
farmers have learned the lesson that these in
ventions and improvements bring about a
great saving of money and labor.


Al. Green's Hand Wheel Rake appears to
captivate the farmers, who congregate about it
in 1oroa prmharc flor cna;pc =,