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H ; JNo. 7, U Moore, Waterloo: D strict No TTm, 7^ r ^ ''^^"- •^' ^<^"- ■L'-<^'iiistie, Pans: D strict No. 10. William Roy, Owen Sound; Ui.strict Xo 1 1 1 V «;i ,-. i n V rr , r ■ ^'^"'^^'' < oi'imissioner o .AL'iieulturp Iisttt.to As»o.„t,„„ „,0„t,„.i„: Otto Klo... lVe»to„, Vioo-Presi,! " of tl,e Meohantc- Institute, Association of Ontario; David Mct.'rae K ct,°H Ken, or of to Mechanics. Institntcs' Association of On.a* C De , ^ PosKlento the ,ant t!,.ow.,.s- A.ssociation : Wiliian, ,S,un,ler . Preside ,t of heJ..nton,olog,calSoc,„ty, London; K. 0,,,l,a„,. ISellevillc. Presiden, „ the Danymens Assocattonof JSastcn Ontario; E. faswell, f^gersoll, Pr,li'm ^ l,e D«.ryn,.„.„ Assocation of Western Ontario; Jan.e, itills, Prineip.'do Sell , ; ;' -H';««ture, Gnelph ; Willia.n lirown, Prof.;sor O.Lrk bcJiool ot Agriculture, (Juelph. "t"iiiu ^Av././..,.-^Messrs. F. W. Stone, Thomas Stock, S. U^iimot. De^,,ates Jro>n A,,r,c„JUn-al ,ori,ti.s.^^ . (, Kingston. Kast Huron- James lolton, Soutn Ihuce ; John m-Clurg, Joseph K'osser, North Middlesex ' ^LnfcPherson,West^ Middlesex: Wm. Kadie, WilliiunOuy, I ^^ : Wni. (.a....t,,ers. Jo n Pratt, West Nortlnunberland ; Alex. Servos. Hob : Shearer, Niagara: John (Jrawford, AltVe.l Mason. East York: Wm. Voni. Humphrey Snell West Huron ; W. H. Panlo, John Paxton. ^Vest K t" W U r ,"T' ''"''*'' ''"'^^''"' ''-''' ^^^o'•thumberland ; James Sntherl d' W. McLeod. Stormont : Thomas Rami ^'UHeilamJ. lilton. Dundi i-s; John Lee. East K^nt .las. -liicksoji, Luther ( 'lioyne, I'eol ; .lus. B. ['earoe, I'lias. O'Reilly, Ka.st I'eterboro'; Sar.nicl Wood, Alex. K. ISIcDonnolI, Cornwall; K. Jackson, North York; Joseph Walkckl, North Perth; Oliver I). Cowan. \V. A. Webster' ►South Leeds; ,'. 15. JJessey, Ifenry Ifobin.son, Hulton ; Jacob Gainer, J. K. (h'uwfbrd, Wcllaiid : IVtcr Re.,.nie, David Foot( , Centre Wellington; Peter Bristol, John tSharp, Lennox; James Thorndike, .South A'ictoria ; li. S. Pat- terson, West Hastings; Andrew 8tnitli, V.^., W. JI DocI, Toronto; James Millar, South (jrenville; James Kussell, I{ol)ert Auld, East Lanibton : E. C (Jarpenter, J. T. Murphy, North Norfolk ; Peter McEwen, North Leeds and (Jrenv.ille; John McKellar, John Crawford, Ottawa; A. J'. McGregor, Wni. .Mowbray, West Lanibton : Win. Donaldson, North Oxford ; John Cowan. I 'rince Edward; Pilchard Whetter. (Jeorge Douglass, East Middlesex ; iJaniel Burt, C. Oneaill, North Brant: Joseph Dunkin, South Norfolk; Angus McBean, Walter Idingtnn, South AVaterloo ; William Tripp, South Oxford ; George Murton, M. Sweetnam, South Wellington; Hugh Crawfoul, John Jackson, Monck ; Robert Deverell, John D. Ilowden, South Ontario; Edward Jeffs, John Ross, South Simcoe; Anson Aylesworth, P. Nugent, Addington ; Hugh Love, South Huron : J. S. Cae.saV, V.S., Col. A. T. H. Williams, East Durham ; Joseph Cline, W. ]\L ('alder, South Wentworth ; James Campbell, .Joseph Waltei-, West Peterboro': Roger Headley, South Perth ; T. Attridge, James Black, North Wentworth. I)ek(j'ifes Jroin IlorticuUiniil Sorldlrs. — 1). W. Beadle, Lincoln • John TJiompson, North Grey ; James Vine, William iMcLaren, East Hastings ; F. VV. Wood, Sarnia: Pet^i" J5ai'Afnan,,,'Pi'estoh,'.; J. 1); Ha.V'V Bi'antford ; Alex. McD. Allan, Godericli f C'liai-lw; Sco£t; '"Roliert Ande:',s'o:i, Oransreville ; T Paitridge, John Plummer, London ; Di-. Henderson, Strathroy; D. I{. Dobier Owen Sound ; A. Munro, Glengarry : Geo. Leslie, Jr., Toronto : J. M. Lott- ridge, A. K. Carpenter, Hamilton. M>'c/i(inics' hixtUutrs. — Alex. Williams, Woodbridge ; A, K. Scholfield. Port Colborne ; Thomas Tilt, Waterloo; Heniy Wade, Port Hope; John Smith, Claude ; David Stock, Dr. McGregor, Waterdown ; H. W. Peterson, Waterloo : John (i. Watson, Ayr. Judge Sinclair, Mi. Thomas Robertson, (.^f. C, M. P., Mr. Geo. Roach and others, were likewise present. Mr, J. R. Craig acted as Secretaiy. After the calling of the roll of members, 300 of whom answered to their names, the J'resident read the following address ; — Gentle.vien, — After the lai).se of fifteen years, it is again my privilege, as the head of the Agriculture and Arts Association of Ontario, to address you on those subjects which are more intimately connected with Agricultun^ It is with the greate-st satisfaction, but at the same time with amazement, that I have witnessed during that period the wonderful and rapid stri les which have been made in the development of the agricultural and manufacturing resources of the country. Everywhere is to be seen unlimited evidence of the industry of our agriculturists and the inventive genius of our mechanics. f i I I M nL» 5 To tliosc. like myself, who liavo Iteen coniifctod with this Assoc i at ion for over a qnartor of ii century, and who have seen tlio agricnltuial inteiosts in their infancy, and who have watclicd tiie wonderful effect wliich tlic generous rivalry created by these agricultural societies has Inul in popularizing; the pursuit of agriculture, it is indeed a source of gratiticatinn, and lias more than rewarded us for the time devoted to tliis work. The great extent of tlio Kxhihilion, and its yearly increase, having rendered it impossihle to satisfy tlie general j-uhlic in th<" limited time which had heretofore been allotted to it, a resolution was passed at the last Annual Meeting in favor of holding the; same for two weeks. 1 think, however, it would i)e advisable to open the Kxhibi- tion in the future on Wednesday and clo.se the same oi Thursday of the following week. This would enable the exhibitors to attend ami return withont interfering with the .Sabbath. In every de[)artuient then* has l)een a largely increased number of exhii)itors, and the general excellence of the articles exhibited all'ordsthc strongest evidence of the increased interest taken iu the Exliibition by tho.se whose duty it is to develop the agriculttiia! and mechanical interests of the country. From a financial point of view the present Exhibition has not been so successful as was anticipatetl, mainly, if not altogether, on account of the illiberality and want of public spirit on the pait of the managers of the several i ail ways. The conduct of the manager of the (ireat Western Railway, whose action, I am informed, decided that of other companies, has appeared in marked contrast with that of his predecessors, who invariably aid(!d to their utmost in r.cccmn.odatin^^ the general^ public', ii seems impossible to imderstand the appan.n;. iudlfferciico of that r,fricial to the interests of the Cianadian people. His uncourteous conduct towards the large and in^' futial delegation which waited on him with a view to having the fares redui .-(l was ■ not calculated to i)opularize his railway. He may yet be taught to know that even railway managers are amenable to public opinion. Civility has always been a cheap and useful commodity in this country, and tlie possession of a moderate amount of it might be found beneficial, even to so important a person a.s a railway managei'. In the department of mechanical implements there has been a very large increase, exhibiting many improvements upon valuable implements and machines already in use ; also a very large number of new and useful machines, showing that the enterprise of our mechanics is keejung pace with the increasing necessity for labor-saving machinery. And [ think the Asso- ciation has great cause to feel gratitied that year after year has shown a steady and large increase in this most important department. The raagniticent exhibition of agricultural and horticultural productions bears testimony to the abundant harvest with which we have again been blessed, and the excellence of the several articles exhibited leaves no rooui to doubt that increased interest is being taken in develo])ing the agricultural resources of the country. It is witli pleasiiro I Imve hIho to notice tlio woii'lnrfiil displny in tlio «liiiiy (lep.irtment, wliicli is fust becoming ono of the most importunt industries in Ontario. To those gontlemon who have devoted so mucli time and thougiit in developing tliis now hrancii of industry we are under the greatest obliga- tions, No one class of our people has done more to bring t!iis country into notice throughout Britain and the Continent than those connected with dairy interests. It can liardly be expected that I shall be able, in the limited time which must necessarily be occupied with the nnnual address, to do more than discuss briefly some few of tint various subjects which may bo of interest to those connected with this Association, and to oH'or such pi'actical suggestions a» may be of licni'lit to those engagtid in thf nol)l(! pursuit, of agriculture. The importance of these Agricultural Associations is daily becoming more evident, and F think I am safe in assorting that, so far as this Province is concerned, its ability to maintain itself in the foremost rank of agricultural communities is lai'gely dut; to the influence of these societies brought to bear upon the jteople by their annual fairs, and by the opportunities they afford to the people of witnessing the improved systems of agriculture. These annual Exhibitions have been the means of popularizing the science of agriculture, and of convincing th(! rising generation that the practice of farming is one of the most ennobling of pursuits. It is now a profession calling to its aid science and the mechanical arts, and in its every branch the inventive genius of man. The farmer now, in- stead of nil-rely followini;; the, beaten .trfjck o^ lijs a^qpstor., brings to his pur- suit his own power of it/ led to the consideration of liu- beau ties whicli siie is continually presenting' bcfjre him. Tiie true faimer finds not only employment for his phy.^iicil powers, but for his mental faculties, and by studyinjr nature he practically Itccomes a natural philosophoi'. I hold it to be the duty of every good citizen to teach the youth of our country that the art of agriculture has al);)Ut all the elements wliidi serve to maUe it an homu'able profession. There is nothing in the legitimate pursuits of agriculture tluit is in any respect unintellectual or debasiu", nor is there anything m it to prevent the u|»right and intelligent furmei- from enjoying, and if need be expressing, the conscientious conviction that his life is as honorable as his neighbor's, be thut neigJibor who he may. Other pursuits may have more of the fancy, agriculture tlie I'ealities. It may be said with entire truth, witii reference to our own peoph;, tint the wider and the broader th(^ field of agricultural labor is made, the more general and extensive the employment of our citizens in agricultural pursuits, just in that proportion will the substantial interests of the country be promoted. On the other hand, just in proportion as you dusert your agricultural field, allow noxious wec.ls to take the place of rich meadows and growing crojis, flock into your cities, engage in the exciting but unprofitable pursuits of speculation, in that same proportion will the country suffer the devastating conseciuences. There have been times, and they have occurreil more than once in the recollection of many of us, when the intoxicating exciteiM -t of wild and visionary si)eculation — the hopes of speedy fortunes— the ui UHbural and greedy desire for gain, to be accpiired without labor and spent with little judgment, have induced many to quit the i)eaceful and sober pursuit of agriculture— indu.-ed Ihem to leave their fruitful farms and hai»py homes for scenes of unnatural excitement, where trade was feverish and the pulse of business dangerously high and apid, where capital was fictitious and credit unbounded, where fortunes could be made in a day, and wealtli become the plaything of an liour. We can learn a lesson from the past that may teach us a surer and safer path for the future. Let not agricultural pursuit!^ be either despised or neglected. Their advantages can scarcely be appreciated , and the more we reflect upon it, the more information and experience we obtain, the firme!- will be our conviction that agriculture is not only one of the noblest, but ahso one of the most useful of the arts. It must be borne in mind that success in agricultural pursuits depends largely upon the knowledge of the principles of agriculture and the laws of organic life. No business in which man can engage, not even the professions of inocolli'ct that until he obtains an amount of information adequate to the highest demands of this progressive age he will not possess the means of securing that pecuniary independence which is one of the neces.sary adjuncts of free-citizenship, and that he will also fail to I'eacli that elevated social position wherein man's best and highest powers are developed and exercised, and the happiest results of a well-spent life worked out. To the farmer, 1 would say that the real dignity of his pro- fessioTi is determined, not by the fact that a few great men, here and there, have belonged to it : it springs from its relations to the interests of society, and from the character of the majority of those engaged in it. I contend that the farmer should enjoy all tho highef^t advantages of mental culture for a training suitable to his business, for the acquisition of an intelligence that shall make his work more effective, while it enables him to stand up in society among the foiemost for real mental jiower. The time, the age, the progress. made in other departments of life, press the subject upon him, and when once his energies shall be earnestly enlisted there is nothing in this direction which Lis efforts may not accomplish. This annual g hering of the farmers of this country in itself dignifies the Tt T i T liiltoi' of wliii;Ii it in Imt llie ^xponput. It is most t,'iatifvi'iK to know that the indiicncfi of tlicsf^ ii','riouhiiial aHsociiiticms lias uiiifonnly liiid tliJH tt'udcnoy, and tliiit a j,'nmt cliiiii;,'!' in tlii.s particular is cltmrly diHwriiihlo wliorc tlieHo un'anH liavo boon HucccHsfully applitul. Tliu notion that agricnltural pursuitK wero not suitod to nmntal aciiuironicnts — that an odncatod farnu'r was likelv to lie an iinsufccsHt'nl one, and that if a man knt'W how to hold his ploni,'!! and reap his grain he liad all tin- knowlfd','<' that a farmer nocd to ha' —is aliiMvdy px|)lod(Ml, Thoso agricultural sooioties now scattorod tlroup'nout thf land have (lone much to corroct this falso view anil to give in its place the convic- tion that farmers must lie (educated When this i)riniipIo sinill have boon fully settled. w(^ shall liavo the dignity of farm lulior truly vindicated. While our ( Common School systiMu, the equal of which cannot be found in any country, has done much foi- the youtli of our country, it is to be regretted that the curriculum does not embrace those branches of education which a.i; so essential to those who purpose pursuing the profession of farming. TIk; study of natural siiiences should be introduced into all our schools, and prose- cuted by all pu|)ils who have made sullicient preliminary attainments. They ought to learn enough of botany to understand the process of growth from germination to maturity of all cultivated plants, grains, and vegetables, with the use of eveiy part, as accurately as the different portions of their own lal)or. They ought to study chemistrv until they know the nature and pro perties of all the clementarv substances which enter into the composition ol plants and animals ; and all the gases essential to their health and life, and jtist what food the wheat or the potato requires, so that they may feed them with precisely the diet each needs, as intelligently as they would administer to the wants of the horse or other aninnii.". I>y such a course the mind w 'ild Itegin to be disciplined, would ac(piire habits o'" rcliection and investigation, and the young farmer would afterwards enter upon his emi)loyment with some adequate conception of its dignity and im])ortance. A proper and thorough system of agricultural education introduced into our Common Schools as well as the schools of a higher standard, particularly in the lural districts, would have a tendency to po[)ularize the prot'ession of agriculture, and remove that prejudice which is readily created in the minds of our youth against what tlie\ believe to be the laborious pursuit of agriculture, especially when brought in contact with those whose greatest ambition is to follow one of the leai'ned pro- fessions or engage in mercantile pursuits, which possess so many fascinating influences. TIkm'o being a great preponderance of the agricultural class in the coun- try, it necessarily follows that in all luial distiicts the schools are well tilled with those who are to be engaged in the same business, 'there is a large field for aijrricultural science, which may be culti\ated to advantage in the Common Schools. At present there are but few who are qualified in tlie.se schools to impart instruction in the science of agriculture, although the attention of those who have the chaiige of our educational institutions has been repeatedly 10 ^rawn to this great defect in our school system. It hut remains for the farmv, , eomuumity to bring their united influence to bear upon those whose duty u IS to see that tliat system keeps pace with the times, and the defect will, 1 am sure, be speedily remedied. l^je Legislature of Ontario has already recognized the importance of an ngncultural education by the establishment of a college which, I am pleased o adnut, as one of those who originally supported the sche.ne and voted in avor ot the experiment, has already done much to disseminate agricultural knowledge. It cannot, however, be expected that this institu.i.a, li.nited in Its extent and its resources, can fully accon.piish the aims of its original pro- n.oters, unless Us usefulness can be enlarged and extended by the alFdiation of othe.r .schools in d.flerent sections of the Province, in which the elements of agncultural knowledge must be taught, and which will act as a feeder to the school at Guelph. A very large number of j.upils fron. different parts of this lrovince,as well as a very considerable number from the other Provinces ha^e ajreudy taken advantage ,.f the opportunity afforded them for the acqui- sition of agricult.n- ,1 knowledge at this institution ; and from the report t mt has been placed in my hands by the head of that institution, there is abundant evidence of its influence among our rural population. We can have no better cntenon by which to Judge of the increasing popularity of this insU ^n l.nt^ roll of students ^embracing, as ll^Xj^t^^X^ "ti h HnX' •^7-^'-^y--> -ny being from Great Britainand f^airlv ttlV ' '. ""^^'^ '^'''' ''^'- '^'''^' -vperiment havin. been fairly tried, no person w II now siv fl...f fi.«. • e , . „ ^ "^^ ^''■y '''•at there was no necessitv for tho foundation of an Am-icultur-i) rnlln„„ -.i • "^^^^'-'^.^ loi tne teachers to in.f..,,./^ ^ -' '''*^' ''" experimental farm, and able he eld in '"''''' *'" '''''''' ^«°"'' ^ ^'^ ^^-^^--^-T, and in Irts t~ f :^ "—-We applications of science to agriculture and u e <;f tl " T " '•' "r '"' ""*'^^'^^ *^^ ^"^^-^^*-»' -°^ t'- «ki"ul u Id n' ?T , 'Tlr' "^f ""'^*^ ' *^ ^^^^"^^"^^ *''«"^ -^h the best farn. Ihendalh ?""'"" and reflection ; in fine, to make them com- n Iltie , . .' ^T'll ^' "^' *'" "' ''' ^^''^^"^^ '' J^-^-dry, with all its practical details and the reason for them, and at the same time o give then. fondness for this noble occupation. The Agricultural College havin. now Zr" r "^^"'^^'""'^ '' ^''^ ^^"'^^'•^' '-^'--"S - successfully, .mder so ma..y adverse circun.stances, largely fulfilled its mission, it only re- rnains for he Legis ature to extend its usefulness and, if need be, to establish other institutionn of a simil r character in different parts of the Province .o that every section of the Dominion may enjoy the benefits of a thorough agncu ural training ; although I am free to admit that I would prefer to see ■one college w,th a high standard of agricultural training, fed from the Com- mon and High Schools of the Province. This college, however, if it is to -! yr 11 «■ IT i-etnin its popularity, must be artili;\tefl with the Toronto I'liiversity, where degrees in agriculture can be conferreil, anil which will be a guarantee to the public that the holder o'i the same has reached the highest ])oint in his pro- fession, or the college itself must have the d('gr(>e-conferrinu power given to it bv the Legislature. There is no reason whatever why farming in this country should nut reach that state of perfection which is to l)o found in the ^Mother Country, if a proper system be adopted. That which is there considered most important to insure success, viz., under-draining, a judicious system of rotation of crops, and. above all, the destruction of noxious weeds, is hugely neglected in this Cduntry. It is a well-known fact that undei 'li'aining has done more than anything el.se lo render agriculture in England superior to that of most countries. In a new country like ours i( is iui'iortint that a firuier should know what lands would be improved l)y draining, what lands would be profitably under- drained, and tliG best methods of under-di'a" g. It may be conceded that where a soil is underlaid by a ])orous s!ib-.soil nature has already accom plished the work of draining betti'r t'lan can be done by artiticial means. Hut all lands of ordinary fertility naturally, which have a subsoil retentive of water, will most certainly be benefited by draining. The sub-soil may be clay, hard pan, or anything else ; it makes little difference what it is so long as it .serves to keep the superfluous water from easily passing oif. The result of .such obstructions are readily recognized. It is said that one of the easiest modes of deciding what lands need draining is by digging a hole three fe(!t in the soil, and if water remain in it at any tinu^ for three days eontinuously, it luseds di'aining. It docs not follow that all lands wliich would be improved by draining would yield a profit in consequence of its being done. This matter of profit depends upon various considerations. First, the character of the soil itself There is some land which will not pay for fencing 01' for draining. The elements reijuisite for fertility may be wanting, or so di'h ;ient as to render the ground unproductive. Again, the location of the 1 ind nniy be such that although the improvement would (|uadruple its pro- ductivene.ss, if inaccessible, or if in a district where as good land as it would be after being thus improved could be bought for less than the cost of draining. It is important to know whether the improvement will pay a good profit, or how much the land would be worth after draining. And this is munly dep(;ndent upon the character of the land and its situation, so that land which it pays to drain in some situations would not be profitable to drain in others. The benefits to be derived from under-draining are almost incalculable. It warms the soil by carrying off the stagnant water and per- mitting the warm rains of summer to go down, carrying warmth in their course; it enables the farmer to work the soil much earlier in the spring and much sooner after heavy rains ; it enables roots to descend further and take better hold in the ground, and grow more vigorously and luxuriantly ; 9 It prevents the fi'eczi.i- out ol root, in Mie winter : it serves us a valuabk.- .security against drouglit hy mmhUng tlie roots to penetrate more deeply in the early spiin-, and thus obtain a supply of moisture during the dry season, and, in a.ldition to all these advantages, it saves the necessity for open ditches, winch have to he kept up at great expense, and which necessarily occupy much of the space on the fariu which might be used for the purpose of cultivation. Among the many practical .piestions presenting themselves to the farmer for solution, there is probably not ,mo ordinarily passed over more lightly, and at the same time of more importance, than Ihe .juestion of what crops he shall plant and sow from time to timc^ Very often it is settled by present convenience, chance, or i)erhai.s moiv often by the way the farmer has become accustomed to do it without any fixc'd rule. Exiierience has proved, what iMight be very readily supposed, that the orJinarv farm crops re.piire to be .•hanged round, or not cutivate for any great length of time the same crop upon the same place. Of course to this there are exceptions. Grass, it is well known, may be raised for an indefinite period by top-dressing and occa- sionally turning over the sod, manuring, rolling, and seeding down. The demand which exists for a variety of products for home consumption, and the nncertainty which attends all crops, seem to make it imperative to raise a variety of crops. It necessarily follows that incpiiry must be made whether or not the same crop can prolitably n« raise.l upon the .same ground for successive years. ^ A system of rotation leads to doing more upon the farm, as well a? doing it better, to using more manure, as well as supplying the same to greater advantage. The particular succession which should constitute a rotation may be different in dillcreiit lf)calities, and depend somewhat upon the charac- ter of the farm to which it is applied, the locality, access to markets, tlie means of the farmer, and possibly his tastes and disposition. It is claimed, and fact and argument support the assumiition, that upon every sufficiently X'timi of Ontario, we Mud that abominablis i • I •(*. v« i;^ >#. y» yueiiiy ol' the faniuT, the Caiunlii thisile, xi'^'lu'i'Iy iU't