Transcriber's note Minor punctuation errors have been changed without notice. Printererrors have been changed and are listed at the end. All otherinconsistencies are as in the original. ADDRESS DELIVERED BY HON. HENRY H. CRAPO, Governor of Michigan, BEFORE THE CENTRAL MICHIGAN AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY, AT THEIR SHEEP-SHEARING EXHIBITION, HELD AT THE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE FARM, On Thursday, May 24th, 1866. LANSING: JOHN A. KERR & CO. , STEAM BOOK AND JOB PRINTERS. 1866. ADDRESS. _Mr. President, and Members of the "Central Mich. Ag'l Society:"_ LADIES AND GENTLEMEN: Remote from the theatre of action in the laterebellion, Michigan has experienced comparatively few of the evils thatfollowed immediately in its path. The usual pursuits of peaceful life, were here scarcely disturbed, and by the permission of a GraciousProvidence, the industry of the inhabitants of our State was but littlediverted from its legitimate channels. Nevertheless, while so many ofher patriot sons were engaged in the deadly strife of Southernbattle-fields, and the result of the struggle was in the uncertainfuture, a sombre cloud could not fail to brood over our daily life, interfering with the full enjoyment of the blessings we retained. Now, however, the roar of cannon and the noise and tumult of war is nolonger heard in our land; the scenes of carnage and blood which our oncepeaceful and happy country has recently witnessed are at an end; theturmoil and strife of armed hosts in deadly conflict have ceased; thepublic mind is no longer excited, and the hearts of the people are nolonger pained, by the fearful news of battles fought, and of theterrible slaughter of kindred and friends. Social order again invites usto renewed efforts in our respective labor and callings; and we arepermitted "to beat our swords into plow-shares and our spears intopruning-hooks. " Like the calm and quiet repose of peace when it follows the clamor anddin of war, so is the delightful, cheering and invigorating approach ofspring, as it succeeds the chilling blasts and pelting storms of drearywinter. The truth of this is verified to us on the present occasion. We havecome together at this delightful spot, and on this beautiful spring day, not only for the enjoyment of a festive season, but also for theimprovement of our minds and the increase of our present stock ofknowledge on subjects with which our several interests and ourrespective tastes are more or less identified. At your request and upon your kind invitation, I am here to contributemy share--small though it be--to the general fund. I should, however, have much preferred the position of a quiet learner to that of anincompetent teacher--to have _listened_ rather than to have _spoken_. But being here, it will be my purpose--by your indulgence--to speak, ingeneral terms, upon such topics as seem to me appropriate to theoccasion. I shall not presume to theorize, or to speculate; neithershall I travel through unexplored fields with no other guide thanimagination; nor shall I attempt to entertain you with any rhetoricalflourishes, or figures of speech; but in a simple manner endeavor togive briefly my own views on the several subjects discussed. The occasion is undoubtedly one affording a wide field for profitablediscussion; yet the space which your greatest indulgence can be expectedto allow me will render it necessary that I confine myself to a very fewtopics, and will barely permit a hasty glance at some of those onlywhich may be considered appropriate in this address. You will therefore, I trust, remember that in case I do not refer to subjects which you maydeem of importance, it will be from this reason, and not because I mayhave considered them unimportant. * * * * * In the first place, then, permit me a brief reference to thisAssociation, under whose auspices, and by whose directions--acting inconnection with the officers of the Agricultural College--this festivalis held. Your Society, I understand, extends over the counties ofIngham, Eaton, Clinton, Livingston and Shiawassee, and has been formedfor the purpose of combining and concentrating a wider scope ofindividual action than could otherwise be attained, with a view to anincreased interest in the subject of Agriculture and of AgriculturalFairs; thereby recognizing the principle that "in union there isstrength. " The effort is not only laudable, but will, I have no doubt, beproductive of the most beneficial results. In fact we have in this veryeffort to bring into notice and give an increased interest to one of ourmost important branches of husbandry in our State--the growth andproduction of wool--abundant evidence that such will be the result. Bycoming together, as on the present occasion, in the spirit of a free, frank and social interchange of ideas, an increased interest cannot failof being awakened, as well as an extensive inquiry instituted, amongfarmers generally, not only as to the most desirable breed of sheep, butalso as to the best modes of tending and keeping and feeding thedifferent kinds, with a view to the greatest profits. The influence ofsuch a gathering as this is of much value--not only in encouraging adesire for excellence and creating a spirit of competition and oflaudable emulation, but as furnishing the means for an active exchangeof the more desirable specimens. Those who assemble are enabled to enjoya season not merely of relaxation from toil, but also for mutualconsultation and discussion; and a healthy and growing interest ineverything pertaining to Agriculture, in all its varied forms andbranches, is thereby induced. In this connection I may be permitted to make a few remarks in relationto the salutary influence which our Agricultural Societies cannot failto exert upon the farmers of Michigan, and of the _benefits_ which arecertain to flow from them. There is no employment which keeps man so isolated as that ofAgriculture; and these societies serve, in a very great degree, tocounteract the bad effects of this by bringing mind into intercoursewith mind. They should receive the united and cordial support of everyfarmer. Whilst professional men are brought into frequent contact with eachother--and the trader is in constant intercourse with his customers--andthe mechanic is associated with those employed with him in theshops--the farmer spends most of his time with his family, and with hisflocks and herds, and sees comparatively little of others. TheAgricultural Fair brings--or should bring--all the farmers together, with their wives and daughters, where a healthy, social intercourse isenjoyed. There a higher standard of excellence in everything is formed. He there learns that what of his own he had been led to believe was thebest--whether in flocks or herds, or farm products--may be greatlyimproved, and his ambition and pride, as well as his interest, are atonce excited to make an advance. At the same time the industrioushousewife, and the blushing Miss, by an examination of the cloths andflannels--the carpets and quilts--the embroidered skirts and capes--thecollars and slippers, discover that these articles are worthy not onlyof their admiration but of their emulation, and they, too, resolve tocopy from a standard of merit higher than their own. Thus is excitedamong those so brought together a spirit of competition, and a desire intheir turn to excel. Another important benefit resulting from Agricultural Fairs, is a morerapid and general diffusion of knowledge among the farmers in regard tothe advantages and practical utility of new inventions, for the savingof time and labor in agricultural operations. This is illustrated veryclearly by the exhibition of Mr. Parish's "Stump and Grub Extractor, " onexhibition here. This machine, I understand, was patented on the firstday of the present month, and _now_ all in attendance at this Fair havehad an opportunity of witnessing its operations and judging forthemselves of its merits. An effective machine of this kind is ofincalculable value to the farmer in removing _at once_ from his fieldsthe unsightly stumps that disfigure them, and which adds so much to thelabor of cultivating those fields. Of the machine itself, I may bepermitted to say, by way of digression, that it surpasses in theeffectiveness of its operations anything of the kind which I have yethad an opportunity of witness. But this is not all. The mutual consultation and discussion consequentupon Agricultural Fairs, begets a spirit of inquiry and a desire forinformation in relation to every subject connected with the farmer'scalling, and to gratify which he has recourse to periodicals and otherworks in which its various branches are discussed and explained. He willthere learn what agricultural chemistry has done for him, and theimportance and value of the analysis of the different kinds of soil. Hewill also find the result of the various systems of husbandry practicedby others as well as the effects of experiments made, and therebysecure to himself their benefits without incurring their cost. Andalthough no amount of reading alone can make a man a farmer, yet theknowledge derived from a perusal of agricultural papers devoted to theinterests of the tillers of the soil will be of incalculable value tohim. SHEEP-HUSBANDRY. It will undoubtedly be expected that "Sheep-Husbandry, " not only fromthe importance of the subject itself, but because of its being theprincipal feature in this exhibition, should receive at my hands a dueshare of consideration. I am free to confess, however, that the subject will be approached withno small degree of hesitancy and distrust on my part, not only becauseof my want of practical knowledge in regard to it, but also because itmay be fairly regarded, I think, in many respects at least, as a sort ofdebatable ground. Different views are undoubtedly entertained by equally intelligent andexperienced men, upon this as well as upon other equally importantsubjects; and the fact I believe is well established that "Doctors" notonly _may_ but _do_ very often "disagree, " and that, too, sometimes verytenaciously. Should I advance opinions at variance with thoseentertained by well-informed and practical men who may listen to me, Iwill simply remark that I am not here to lay down rules and establishprinciples for the guidance of any one, but to discuss principles andrules of action, as well as practical questions, with a view to leadothers the more carefully to inquire into and investigate the same. The subject of Sheep-Husbandry with us is certainly an importantone--wool being a great, leading staple product of our State; and verymuch attention is now being paid to it, which is fully justified by theadvantages of our soil and climate for the keeping of sheep. The farmersof Michigan are fully aroused to the importance of this interest, andhave labored zealously, and at much expense and cost, to improve theirbreeds of sheep, and to foster and develop this great interest. Theyhave certainly done much in this direction; but more--very much more, Iapprehend--remains yet to be done. It must, however, be remembered that a blind zeal, without thatknowledge which is the result of experience, observation and study, willdo very little in the right direction. Sheep, like cattle, should be selected for specific purposes, and inreference to affording the greatest profit under existing, and probablefuture circumstances. The exclusive cultivation of this or thatbreed--of the fine or coarse, or of the long or short wools--whetherkept exclusively for their wool, or both for their wool and theshambles, should never be practiced, unless under special and unusualcircumstances. The farmer in this, as in every other agriculturaldepartment, must endeavor to see his relation to the merchant, and adopta practice having in view the chances of ultimately reaching the mostcertain as well as the most profitable market; for, after all, theconnection between the producer and the manufacturer and merchant, isbut a partnership for loss and gain. The merchant will call upon themanufacturer for such woolen goods as his market demands, irrespectiveof the mere opinion which any one may entertain in favor of this or thatkind of wool; and the manufacturer, in his turn, will call upon thefarmer for just what is wanted. The farmer should therefore, in theselection of his flocks, have in view the market upon which he is torely for the sale of his wool; the texture and weight of fleece; thehealth and vigor of body and constitution, as well as the habits andeconomy of the animal. He should sedulously seek to bring his sheep to ahigh degree of perfection in every respect. In seeking to obtain qualityof fleece it is a self-evident fact that he should not overlookquantity; and that quantity should also be considered in connection withquality. It is a patent fact, of which if we needed evidence it may be found inthis exhibition as well as in the numerous county exhibitions of similarcharacter, which have recently been held, where very rarely any otherclass of sheep are seen, that a strong preference for fine-wooledMerinos is very generally, if not almost exclusively, entertained at thepresent time among the farmers of this State, and money in the purchaseof that class is of but little account. It is well known that very highprices are being paid not only for single specimens but for whole flocksof this breed. This is probably all right, so far as it is necessary forthe purpose of attaining excellence in flocks, upon points alreadyspoken of. To such a preference there should be no objection, if it benot carried so far as to superinduce an unprofitable reaction--andprovided that the demand for the grade of wool produced by these sheepis to have no limit, and that all which can be grown is sure always tocommand a remunerative price. But will this probably be so? Let usconsider. As I have already intimated, the demand for any particular quality orkind of wool will not depend upon the fact that farmer A or farmer B hassuch wool to sell, taken from sheep for which he paid very large prices, and of which he has now a very large flock; but rather because thatparticular kind and quality of wool is called for by the manufacturersimply to fill the orders of the merchant, who in his turn is onlydesirous to supply the demands of the consumer. From an examination of our imports, it appears that in 1863, of _sixtymillions_ of woolen goods, about _forty millions_ were manufactured ofthe longer worsted wool. This wool is required to make a fabric oflustrous appearance for imitations of Alapaca, and for a supply of whichour manufacturers now depend mostly on foreign countries The price ofcombing wool has been for some time increasing rapidly, in comparisonwith other wool, in consequence of its consumption gaining upon itsgrowth. And I saw recently that the British farmer had been urged toincrease the production of this article to its fullest extent, both froma consideration of duty as well as of interest. The manufacturer of Alapaca cloths--a most beautiful fabric of recentintroduction--and their extensive use, has not only led to thisincreased demand, but has enhanced the price of this kind of wool, whichwill undoubtedly be maintained, as new fabrics requiring to be made fromlong wools, especially for the garments of ladies, are now beingintroduced in great variety, and are becoming daily more popular and ofmore general use. Another cause for the continued and increasing demandfor these wools is the facility with which they can be used for thepurpose of making imitations of Lama fabrics and Alapacas; and I have nodoubt that factories for the manufacture of these goods will rapidlymultiply in New England and elsewhere, and will soon, to a very greatextent take the place of those now consuming the fine wools. In support of these views, permit me to give the following extracts fromthe work of Mr. Randall, the well known and enthusiastic champion of theMerinos. He says: "In the American market there is a much larger demand for medium than fine wools, and the former commands much the best price in proportion to its cost of production. " Again he says: "American producers of very fine wool have ever fed an expectation, but never obtained the fruition of their hopes. " These are significant admissions, coming as they do from such a quarter. * * * * * The South Downs are a variety of sheep of decided merit; but have never, I think, been fully appreciated by the farmers of Michigan. They are oflarge size and symmetrically formed, with hardy and robustconstitutions, and their wool is fine, short and curled, and destituteof fibrous spires that give to it the felting properties. It is neithera short nor a long staple, but ranks in this country as "middle wool. "The shorter staples are made into flannels and light woolen goods; andthe longer are extensively used for combing. Their mutton isunsurpassed; its flavor is delicate, and the flesh juicy and wellintermixed with fat. They are the most prolific breeders--the proportionof ewes bringing twins being at least fifty per cent. I recently saw afine flock of South Down ewes in the State of New York of which morethan three-fourths of the whole flock had twins. Among the more desirable varieties or families, for the production oflong wool, in this climate, are, perhaps, the Cotswolds, noble specimensof which you have had an opportunity of inspecting on this occasion;and have, I trust, with me, been highly gratified at their weight ofcarcass, combined with their fine forms and apparent hardiness ofconstitution, as well as the superior fleeces they have now yielded. My purpose, however, is not to advocate the claims of this or that classof sheep at the expense of any other, but to present such views for yourconsideration as may lead to a more thorough and candid investigation ofthe whole matter. Let me say in continuation of this subject, that in a comparison betweenthe Cotswold and other long wool varieties, with the fine wool Merinosthe _advantage as to weight of fleece_ is decidedly with the former; andespecially so when their respective fleeces are thoroughly cleansed andscoured; for whilst the loss of the long wools very rarely reaches_twenty per cent. _, that of the Merinos generally much exceed _fifty percent. _, and the fleeces of prize rams often more than _seventy percent. _ Manufacturers are already beginning to make a discriminationbetween wool that is clean and that which is not so. Suppose they buythe South Down, Cotswold and Leicester wools, and their grades, fromwhich is lost by scouring twenty per cent. Only, whilst upon the finestMichigan wool there is lost _fifty_ per cent. And more--making the costof the latter, at ordinary prices, one-third more per pound than theformer, how long will it be before they will study to increase theirconsumption of long wool when they can make from _thirty_ to _forty_ percent. More cloth with the same money? They will certainly seek to avoid, in some way, the necessity of buying with their wool so very large a percentage of grease and dirt, as they claim they are now doing in thepurchase of fine wools. The South Downs, as I have already stated, as well as the long woolsheep, have a decided advantage in the quantity and value of meat whichthey yield for the shambles; for no one, I apprehend, will deny the factthey not only yield more wool but very much more flesh to the liveweight than do the Merinos. And this is a fact worthy the seriousconsideration of farmers, and certainly a strong argument in favor ofthe more general breeding of long wool sheep. The war, and perhaps othercauses, have very seriously reduced our supply of meats, the waste ofwhich cannot soon be repaired. Many of our soldiers will not againreturn to rural life, which will be quite too tame for them after thelong, protracted excitement of war. They will seek other occupations, and be consumers rather than producers of meats. In addition to this atide of foreign immigration is setting in upon our shores, where theywill continue to swarm for years to come as never before, hungry formeat; and it has been conclusively demonstrated that the ratio of ourordinary increase of population far exceeds the production of cattle andsheep, which deficiency in beef and mutton must hereafter be supplied insome way. I will again quote from Mr. Randall's work. He says: "I am strongly impressed with the opinion that the production of mutton has been too much disregarded as a concomitant of the production of wool. Near large meat markets mutton is the _prime consideration_, and wool but the accessory. " Here, then, is a potent combination of circumstances, which were neverbefore brought together, guaranteeing an abundant remuneration, as Ibelieve, to those who may engage in this particular branch of husbandry;and the field, although now new, will nevertheless, I have little doubt, be very soon successfully occupied. I cannot but hope that our ambitiousand enterprising stock breeders will secure to themselves their fullshare. Perhaps I have already exhausted your patience by dwelling so long uponthis subject; but regarding it--as I most certainly do--as a veryimportant one, and this being an appropriate occasion for itsdiscussion, you will, I trust, bear with me a moment longer, whilst Iventure to make a few practical suggestions, before taking leave of it. Let me then say, in this matter of Sheep Husbandry, in addition to whathas already been said, that you should guard against extreme views ofany kind. Merinos are undoubtedly a valuable and a very desirable breedof sheep, as witness the noble specimens exhibited on this occasion; butyou do not want them and nothing else, unless they will pay a betterprofit than any other sheep; nor should you pay an extravagantly highprice for them merely to enrich the sheep-breeders of another State; norbecause it is fashionable to do so. You should remember that the SouthDowns, the Leicesters, the Cotswolds, as well as some others perhaps, also have their respective claims to favor and are worthy of yourconsideration. My own opinion is that a grade of sheep may be producedby a cross between the Cotswolds and some other varieties, which willfurnish a staple of fine, long, combing wool of lustrous appearance, that will prove--all things considered--quite as remunerative as fleecesfrom the choicest Merinos and their grades. You should, also, avoid the too common error of overstocking with sheepwhen the price of wool is high. Sheep Husbandry has been a veryprofitable branch of business for the farmers of this State; but likeevery other business it may be overdone, and is liable to fluctuationsand changes. Sheep must be well fed and cared for in order to produceheavy fleeces; and there is certainly a limit to the number which mayprofitably be kept upon any farm; and it not unfrequently happens that aflock of fifty sheep on a small farm, will yield a larger net profitthan would a flock of five hundred if kept upon the same farm. When the price of wool is high, the farmers are too reluctant to selloff their sheep, and thus become liable to an overstock. In fact, thisis now the great danger of the wool-growers of Michigan. The besteconomy, and the most judicious management, will be to keep down thenumber of your flocks to your means of pasturage and feed; andconstantly aim to improve the grade and quality of those you retain bydisposing of the less desirable specimens for mutton. Your motto shouldbe to elevate the standard of your flocks, rather than to increase theirnumber beyond your means of feeding. Another evil is also to be guarded against, --that of giving yourattention to sheep to the exclusion of cattle. I am aware that in thepast there have been--in this State--few advocates for the raising ofcattle, and that the sound judgment of any man would at once be broughtinto question who should attempt to do so. But I think there has beenmore of prejudice than reason in this. The farmer, as a mere matter ofpolicy, should not confine himself to any one thing, as thereby thefluctuations and changes incident to any branch of business, may verypossibly--nay very probably--disappoint his hopes and expectations. Ifhe has only sheep on which to rely, a sudden fall in the price of sheepand wool, or a general prevalence of any of the diseases to which sheepare always liable, would be a serious disaster to him; whereas, if hisattention is directed to both sheep and cattle, as well as to horses, swine, &c. , his chances of certain and continued success are verygreatly multiplied. In fact, cattle are already commanding enormousprices in consequence of a general scarcity everywhere, not only for theshambles, but for the dairy, and this deficiency will not, I apprehend, be very soon supplied. I have recently visited some of the more highlycultivated portions of the State of New York, where I found good faircows were worth _one hundred dollars_ each and not easily to be had atthat. Good sized, first quality working oxen, are now worth here $250per pair; and a large lot of cattle has recently been sold for beef inFlint, at seven cents per pound, live weight. Horses, too, are scarce, and must continue to be so for a long time, as their destruction by thelate war was very great, and years will be required to replace those sodestroyed, especially in the rebel and border States, which must besupplied from the North. Swine, also, are now deficient, and principallybecause, a few years since, for a time the price of pork was very low, and their growth was in consequence, at once almost abandoned. Thefarmer should take a broader view of things, and pursue a steady, onwardcourse, avoiding all extremes, as well as sudden changes. As a largeportion of his farm products are more adapted to the feed of cattle, horses and swine than to sheep, he should, if for no other reason, keepa due proportion of these animals, any excitement in favor of sheepnotwithstanding. My own opinion most decidedly is, that the time hascome when the best interests of the farmers of Michigan require that aportion of the attention now being devoted to sheep husbandry should bedirected to that of other kinds of stock. But, to return again from this digression to the subject of sheep andwool. One of the most serious difficulties with which the farmers have tocontend, is the combinations that are too often sought to be made bypurchasers to secure their wool at the lowest possible figures. Themanufacturers and wool buyers, undoubtedly act in concert, --at least tosome considerable extent, --to depress the price, and especially so, before and about the time the new clip is coming in. They are welldrilled in this, and many of their operations are systematic andefficient. At such time they pretend not to be in want of wool, --thatthe demand will be light, &c. Purchases are made very sparingly, andtemporary supplies are procured from other sources, even at a highercost than the farmers ask. This is done upon the ground that anoccasional sacrifice of this kind pays well in the end, if thereby theyare able to keep down the price of the great bulk of domestic wool. Sometimes fictitious sales are reported, and various other means areemployed to this end, with the view that a few holders, atleast, --either from necessity or timidity, --may be induced to sell, andthus aid their efforts to establish low prices. It thus becomes the duty of the farmers to act with much consideration, study and wisdom; and purely as a matter of self-defense, to adopt someconcert of action among themselves for the protection of their owninterests. When the price is low and the market dull at the time ofshearing, there should not be too much haste in making sales. In 1861, Ithink it was, the farmers were over anxious to sell, for no other reasonthan because at that time the price of wool was very low and the marketdull. They then overlooked the well established commercial fact thatdepressed markets generally advance, rather than retrograde, and thatGovernment disbursements then certain to be made would create funds anda higher market, and that the demand for the staple would increase. Theyconsequently sold for _twenty-five cents_ per pound, fleeces, that inless than three months commanded _forty-five_ to _fifty_ cents. Theyalso, in many instances, offered to sell their fleeces for less thanhalf the sum they would bring in a very few weeks. On the other hand, asis too common, when wool at the time of shearing commands a high priceand the market is brisk, the farmers are inclined to hold on for stillhigher prices. But this is another mistake in the opposite direction. The rule should be, --"_sell_" when the market is quick, and prices aregood;--and "_hold on_" when the market is dull and prices are low. Before leaving this subject, permit me to call your attention to anotherimportant matter in connection with sheep husbandry in this State. Sufficient care has not heretofore been taken to clean and otherwiseproperly prepare this great and important staple for market, and theconsequence has been that the character and representation of "Michiganwool, " I am sorry to discover, has been very seriously lowered in themarket, and a great loss to the producers has thereby been sustained. Itis a fact, perhaps not generally known, that from this cause alone, "Ohio wool" sells for about _five_ to _ten cents_ per pound more than"Michigan wool. " In an interview which I recently had with an extensiveeastern manufacturer, who was induced last season for the first time topurchase a lot of "Michigan wool, " he expressed his surprise that theMichigan wool growers should be so heedless of their own interests as tooverlook this important fact. From his statements I learned that theprejudice of the manufacturers against "Michigan wool" was so great thatmany of them would not buy it at hardly any price when they could get"Ohio wool. " He said a large proportion of our wool was poorly washed, and that this was true of a great proportion of our finest and bestlots; and that it was not only sent to market in this condition, but wasbadly and slovenly put up, with much larger twine than they use inOhio, --the fleeces, also having a torn and jagged appearance; and manyof them, when opened, were found to contain the _unwashed_ tags. He, however, expressed himself highly pleased with the quality of the woolhe had purchased, and said it compared favorably in that respect withany he had ever received from Ohio; and he believed if our wool could besent to market as clean and in as good condition otherwise as the Ohiowool, --and the prejudice which has been created against it, inconsequence of this not having been the case heretofore, could once beremoved, he doubted not that "Michigan wool" would command in the marketthe highest prices and the most ready sales. This is certainly a serious matter, and prompt and efficient measures, of some kind, should at once be taken to remedy the evil; and everywool-grower should feel, as he really is, personally interested in thework. I commend this subject, gentlemen, to your serious consideration, and trust some concert of action will be had to prevent a continuance ofthis great evil, and to place "Michigan wool" where it should mostcertainly stand, at the head of the list. If this can be done in noother way, I would suggest the formation of a "Wool-Growers Board ofTrade, " or some other efficient organization for the purpose--if for noother--of tracing out and holding up to scorn every individual who shallaid in inflicting so serious an injury to this great interest, and ofdoing so great a wrong to his neighbors and fellow-citizens, and that, too, from the base and fraudulent motive of selling dirt and tags asfine wool--for be assured that any imposition of this sort, practicedupon manufacturers, will recoil upon our own heads; and where _one_ centwill thus be saved, thousands, yes, tens of thousands of dollars, will, as a necessary consequence, be indirectly lost to the farmers ofMichigan. And the loss they have sustained from this cause during thelast three or four years will undoubtedly exceed the enormous sum of twomillions of dollars. But I must take leave of this subject. THE STATE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE. Permit me now to occupy your attention for a brief space whilst I speakof this Institution--the State Agricultural College--upon whose groundswe are now assembled, and where by the kindness and courtesy of itsofficers, we have been so cordially welcomed and so pleasantlyentertained. It is not, I think, inappropriate to the occasion that Ishould do so. Let me remind you then, in the outset of my remarks on this subject, that this Institution is in its early infancy; and that notwithstandingthe beautiful landscape which is spread out before us; with its verdantfields just springing into luxuriance, dotted with the finest specimensof the choicest breeds of sheep and cattle, with the College groundsskillfully laid out and now in process of being tastefully adorned byArt, a few years only have been numbered with the past since not onlythis spot, but all the surrounding country, as well as almost the entireterritory of our young, but noble and now highly prosperous State, wasan unbroken wilderness, covered with the primeval forest, the entangledwoods giving shelter and concealment to wild and ferocious beasts, aswell as to the wandering and savage red man. What a change has thus beenwrought in a few short years! the result of the toil and privation ofthe adventurous pioneers, of whom many have already become intelligent, enterprising and forehanded farmers. And more than this: Michigan, although but recently settled, and one ofthe youngest in the great sisterhood of States, has been the first toestablish a professional school for the agricultural education of hersons, in which is not only taught the sciences and their application toagriculture, but also agriculture as an art, with such experiments asare calculated to impart a more thorough and practical knowledge of thesame; and connected with the study of these a department of manuallabor; the legitimate effect of all which is to increase the student'sdesire for knowledge as well as his love of study, and to remove thebarrier too often existing between the educated and laboringclasses--which can only be done by giving a better education to thosewho labor, and by removing the prejudices of the educated against labor. But I propose to speak more definitely of the aims and objects of thisInstitution, as well as its claims to the favor and support of thefarmers of Michigan. They need not be told, I think, that its design isto promote their benefit. But have the farmers of this State, as aclass, heretofore recognized this fact? And have they in return for theadvantages which it proposes to them, given it that countenance andencouragement which it claims at their hands? I fear not. There are, itis true, noble exceptions to this; yet it is also true that a largeproportion of their number have looked upon it with suspicion anddistrust, as though its purpose was to do them a wrong--to inflict uponthem an evil. They have not merely withheld from it their aid andsupport, but their active influence has too often been exerted to itsdisadvantage and prejudice. This is certainly wrong--very wrong! Let us look a little into this matter. Is knowledge--a knowledge ofthose sciences which are intimately connected with agriculture as anart--of no value to the farmer? Is it necessary that he should be a doltin order to be fitted for his vocation? Will ignorance and bad husbandryincrease his crops or enable him to find a better market for hisproducts? Or, will his enjoyment, in his daily round of toil, be anygreater because unconscious that he is groping his way along in thedark? No! For however that may have been in the past it is certainly notthe case now. And although "ignorance, " as it is said, may be "bliss, "yet in these days, at least, it must be a sort of negative bliss. Ignorance is certainly not power; nor does it lead to wealth as a meansof comfortable support and enjoyment--which is the legitimate end of alllabor. Will _ignorance_ give respectability, or sweeten the toil of thehusbandman? Will it elevate his thoughts and desires to higher andnobler aims, or inspire him to "look from nature up to nature's God?"Will it lead him instead of a fixed stolid gaze upon the earth overwhich he walks, to engage in the study of those great and omnipotentlaws which regulate all matter, and which so wonderfully, yet certainlycontrol both the animal and vegetable kingdoms? No! It will accomplishnone of these desirable ends, but the very reverse of them all. This proposition is so self-evident to intelligent men, that to advanceit to such an audience as the one before me--except as the basis of anargument--must be entirely superfluous. But what was the social positionof the farmers, let me ask--even in this highly favored country--fiftyor sixty years ago? Were they not then regarded as men withoutknowledge--devoid almost of sensibilities--unfitted for anything exceptthe mere routine of daily labor and toil--and capable only of delving inthe soil day by day? And were they not then considered, even bythemselves as well as by others, as occupying the very lowest positionin the scale of society? Such were the facts. Every person who wasregarded as too ignorant and uncultivated for other pursuits, was, bycommon consent, considered as having a prescriptive right to farming asa vocation. In fact ignorance was regarded as the proper and sufficientdiploma for the farmer. And as a consequence he was not only poor andwithout influence, but too often considered by others as withoutrespectability merely because he was a farmer; and all that was concededto him--in fact all that he claimed for himself--was a simplesubsistence upon the hardest fare, without any of the luxuries, and veryoften with a scarcity of the necessaries of life. Remember, I am speaking of the farmers, as a class, _fifty_ or _sixty_years ago--before there were any county fairs, or agricultural colleges, newspapers or magazines, and when agriculture was the result of laborwithout knowledge, system or calculation. But although the farmers have emerged from this condition very slowly, yet what is their position now? Are they not regarded as being on alevel at least with those of other callings in social importance? Dothey not occupy positions of confidence and trust in society? Are theynot found in our Legislative Halls in fair proportion with men ofdifferent pursuits? This is certainly true: and the advance alone is theresult of a higher mental culture--of a wider range of thought--and ofan increased fund of knowledge, and consequently of an improved systemof farming. And if the advance of agriculture and the condition of the farmer havebeen tardy, as compared with the improvement in other departments oflabor--in other avocations of life--it is solely because science andstudy have not as soon been applied to agriculture--and because also thefarmer has not been permitted the advantages resulting from so early adevelopment of facts connected with his calling as have other classes ofmen. But the great work is now fairly in progress of elevating the farmer tohis true position in the social order of society--of teaching him thathis vocation, instead of being the dull, unintellectual lot of theignorant, is the most noble and dignified, as well as the most conduciveto men's happiness in which he can be engaged; and nothing is nowwanting to secure the steady advancement of this work, but for thefarmers to do justice to themselves and to their calling, by laying holdof the means for that end which are placed within their reach. Assumingall this to be undeniably true, where can be found more potent agenciesin the work of elevation than Agricultural Colleges? And why, then, should any farmer in this State hold back from giving this Institutionhis cordial and hearty support? And stranger still--why should he puthimself in antagonism to its success? Such an attitude, to my mind, isnot merely unwise, but preposterous--yes, suicidal. If the College isnot what it should be, the more his self-interest should prompt him tobestow upon it his aid. It is the _Farmers' Institution_--founded for_his_ benefit, at much cost; and if _he_ does not feel an interest in itand labor to make it a success, who will? Who should? But why have a portion of the farmers of Michigan seemed to look withdistrust upon this Institution, and in some cases, I regret to say, seemed to regard it as a sort of wrong to themselves; and if they havenot actually opposed, have, at least, withheld from it their support? Imust confess, that should I give what seemed to me to be the true answerto these questions, it might be regarded by some who have not verycarefully looked into the subject, as an assumption on my partunwarranted by facts. Would that it were so; that I were mistaken. But having given thesubject some little thought and investigation, you will, I trust, permitme the honest expression of my own views upon this important matter. Itis for that purpose and none other, that I am here. But you, Mr. President, as well as all those now present, can certainly take nopersonal exception to these views, as the very fact of such presenceshows that you are not of the class to which I may allude; and I amgratified in being able to say that I believe there are very manyothers, not present, who are the warm and devoted friends of thisInstitution; and who, with you, I most certainly hope, constitute therule and not the exception. But the answer: And in giving which, I will avail myself of theprivilege conceded to a certain class of men, --that of answering onequestion by asking another. Why then do men ever oppose or neglect theirown interests? To my mind, only from want of knowledge, from prejudiceor self-will--or some other of the same brood of enemies to man'ssuccess in laudable undertakings; and of which _ignorance_ is the chief, and may be regarded as the prolific source of all the others. In thiscase, undoubtedly, as in others, some are opposed from a mere notion ofopposition, or from a mere whim; others again, simply to agree with, ordiffer from, some, who are either in favor or opposed; whilst some mustoppose whatever they themselves do not originate;--and, others again, have no doubt been led honestly to entertain a distrust which hasfinally grown into an opposition, through the influence ofmisrepresentations, or from a perversion of facts by those whoseinterests, from some cause, are at variance with its success. But I am quite certain that the whole opposition and indifference tothis Institution, so far as it may come from the farmers themselves, isunnatural and fictitious, and will soon pass away as does everythingelse which is built upon such foundation. It is said by some that "theInstitution has been a mistake from the beginning;" that it "was locatedwrong;" that it "was not started right;" that it "has been badlymanaged;" and that it "is an expensive concern, and will never pay;" anda great deal more. But it is very easy to say all this, and yet theremay be very little reality in it, and still less reason. Let me here say to the objectors and fault-finders, --suppose all this betrue? who _then_ is to blame? Is the Institution itself responsible forall these mistakes? Or, are they not rather the consequences ofunavoidable and untoward circumstances, magnified and aggravated by_your_ opposition, and over which its friends and managers could have nopossible control. I admit the probability that the early success of theCollege would have been more certainly secured, had an old and highlycultivated farm been purchased for the purpose; but for this the meanswere wanting. You say, perhaps, that College students should not berequired to _clear land and dig stumps_. True; but when the officers andmanagers of such an Institution are _compelled_ to do this, and to reachthe end desired as best they may through such means, they are certainlyentitled to all praise, and richly deserve the meed of commendation foreven partial success, and which should be all the dearer to us becauseof being reached under such adverse circumstances. That the facilitieswhich the College now possesses are inadequate to the properaccommodation of those who wish to avail themselves of its advantages, and even to the extent of the limited number of students now belongingto it, is certainly to be regretted. But this is an evil to be overcomeby the patient and persistent efforts of its friends, and not by theantagonism and opposition of its enemies; by making the most out of thelimited means at command, and not by abandoning the whole because themeans are not now all we could desire. That its management may have beena matter of criticism with those who have known but little about it, orwho have taken little or no pains to investigate the facts, is notstrange; yet, for one, I am clearly of the opinion that--when all thedifficulties with which it has had to contend, are duly considered--itsmanagement, thus far, has been all that any person could reasonably hopefor or expect; and more--that its officers and professors are entitledto great credit and much praise, for securing under so muchdiscouragement, that degree of success which is apparent here even tothe casual observer; and claim of us, and are entitled to receive at ourhands, a proper and just recognition of their valuable services, and thefidelity with which they have been rendered. * * * * * Farmers of Michigan! Be not led astray by such objections as I havestated, or by any others of a similar import. You have here a nobleInstitution, in faithful and competent hands--one that will soon be ofincalculable value to you--and one, too, that will reflect much creditnot only upon you, but upon the whole State. And although it may not nowbe all you could wish or desire, yet when we consider what it now is inview of the difficulties with which it has had to contend, we have asure guarantee, that it will yet be a success and will realize all yourreasonable expectations. Let me ask of you, in all earnestness andcandor, to give it now your warm, your hearty support, so that you maynot only assist in securing for yourselves and the public the great endof its establishment, but that you may, by and by, safely, and withoutthe fear of successful contradiction, lay claim to the honor of beingamong its early friends and upholders. There is something noble andmagnanimous in rendering substantial aid and support to a cause in thehour of its weakness and in the time of its need; whilst there issomething not only selfish but mean, in stepping forward with proffersof assistance, and with spurious claims of imaginary or intended favor, when such assistance is no longer needed, and when the heat and burdenof the day has been borne by others; for, be assured, that the time iscoming when no farmer will covet the distinction of having been amongthe number of the enemies of this Institution. The advantages of our Agricultural College, in connection with anexperimental farm, are too obvious to every intelligent mind to requirethat I should occupy your time in dwelling upon them. And, when I speakof an experimental farm, I do not mean a mere model farm, by which aspecimen of good farming only is exhibited; but, like this, a farmembracing a variety of soils--adapted to an extensive range ofexperiments--and where the value of the different kinds of grain may betested, as well as the relative advantages of different modes oftillage; the relative effect and value, by actual trial, as well as byanalysis, of various manures as fertilizers; and the economy of labor;as well as the comparative value of the different breeds of cattle, sheep, horses, swine, &c. , &c. , with a view to the introduction anddissemination among the farmers of the State, of such as should provethe most profitable; or of such as could be most successfully used forobtaining the most desirable grades. Such a farm as this, under theefficient and skillful management of its present able and perseveringSuperintendent, cannot fail to be of very great benefit to the farmersof this State, and should, both as a matter of duty to others and ofinterest to themselves, receive their united and generous support. And Iam firmly of the opinion that when they shall afford this Institutionsuch aid, it will soon become one of the first among our nobleinstitutions of learning, and will be a just cause of pride, not merelyto the farmers themselves, but to every intelligent person throughoutthe whole extent of our noble State. And now let me invoke, for the future prosperity and success of thisCollege, not merely the liberality of the farmers--or what they mayregard as such--in the payment of a trifling tax for its maintenance, but what is of equal importance, and which it has a right to demand injustice to itself--their earnest advocacy of its claims. AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE STUDENTS. But I have already, I fear, trespassed quite too far upon your patience, and should, perhaps, before this, have relieved you from furtherinfliction. Yet seeing before me, many--if not all--of the students ofthis College, I must beg your indulgence for a moment longer, whilst Iaddress to them a very few remarks. Let me say, then, to you, young gentlemen, that you are now in theenjoyment of privileges for the acquisition of that knowledge soessential to success in after life, which were denied to me--and theabsence of which I have felt as a great and serious loss through thewhole period of my existence. See to it that you place a just value uponthese privileges, and that you do not abuse them. Whilst most of you, Itrust, are fitting yourselves for the employment of farming as anavocation, some, perhaps, may be looking forward to other professionsand pursuits. I, however, on this occasion, must confine my remarks tothose of the former class. And to such I would briefly remark, that the value and importance of anagricultural education to the youth whose lives are to be devoted to thehighly reputable occupation of farming, begin now to be admitted, andhappy will it be for our common country, when such education shall beregarded as a necessity. Labor is no longer degrading, but is creditableand dignified; and agricultural pursuits are no longer regarded asdisgraceful or ignoble by any except the fop and the coxcomb, but are ofall employments the most honorable in which men can be engaged. Nor isit, as has been too often supposed, a cheerless life of toil andfatigue, but has many substantial and endearing charms. It is also thefountain-head for the supply of all our wants; and when contrasted withother employments, its advantages cannot fail to be appreciated. Whilstthose who seek a profession must be content to spend many weary years ofwasting study--of constant struggle--before they can begin to live, thefarmer has at once before him, health and quiet, ease and contentment, as well as the enjoyment of sober pleasures which do not cloy, andwhilst the chances of those who engage in commercial pursuits are, thatabout _ninety-five_ out of every _one hundred_ are destined to failure, the farmer is exempt from such a hazard, for the chances of failure withhim are found to be only about _four_ in every _one hundred_. I do not, of course, in this comparison, include those who, having noland of their own, are obliged to toil for others as laborers, and whocannot therefore be ranked as farmers. To the farmer, if each day does bring its labors, it also brings itspleasures; and even as he toils in his dusty fields, he can deriveunalloyed pleasures, not only from the study and care of his bleatingflocks and lowing herds, but from the prospect of an abundant harvest ashe looks over his fields of waving grain or contemplates his orchards ofrich and luscious fruits. And each day renews to him these pure andsubstantial pleasures, which afford not only gratification, but health. With the farmer there are no all-absorbing cares, no corrodinganxieties, no vitiating excitement. He is measurably freed from theseductions of enervating pleasures. From the green fields and fresh airhe drinks constant draughts of inspiration. His great study is, orshould be, Nature and Nature's God. To him each season has its profitsand its pleasures; for he knows that while he rests or sleeps his fieldsare working for him. He is also freed, in a great measure, from thebaleful influences which attend that false ambition so often excited byother pursuits. My young friends, when you leave your "Alma Mater" and fix upon yourroute for life's journey, let your choice of a profession be carefullyand wisely made; and then, with undeviating course, pursue it steadilyand persistently to the end, for in this only will be found yourreasonable chances of ultimate success. * * * * * Mr. President, I have already detained you and this audience quite toolong; and with many thanks for your kind and patient attention, I willnow bring my remarks to a close. * * * * * Transcriber's note The following changes have been made to the text: Page 11: "recently visted" changed to "recently visited". Page 12: "not generally kown" changed to "not generally known". Page 19: "knowlege so essential" changed to "knowledge so essential".