The farms in Ohio are appraised at $498,773,030 The live stock appraised at..... 105,554,166 And I presume that other chattle property owned by farmers equals the amount invested in live stock, equal therefor.... 105,554,166 $709,861,366 $3,367,167 23 12,640,699 90 Now the aggregate of taxes on the grand duplicate amounts to, For State purposes.. For county and local purposes. Of this tax of sixteen and a half millions the agricultural interest alone pays ten and a half millions, while all other interests, the moneyed interest, commercial interest, manufacturing and mechanical, all combined, pay six millions only, or a little more than half as much as the agricultural interest! Here, then, we have positive data; and the fostering encouragement and development of this great interest, represented by at least one thousand millions of dollars, is entrusted to or represented by this Board. I say one thousand millions of dollars because the valuation of the lands is that of the Board of Equalization of 1859, and when the lands throughout the state were valued at $19.62—and it is not a very violent presumption to assume that the lands will sell for nearly double that amount at the present time. Let us take a momentary retrospective view. In 1850 the State Board held its first annual exhibition. In 1850 there were 23,981,350 acres of land returned for the assessment of taxes; the average valuation of the lands then was $11.12-100 per acre, making an aggregate sum of $266,751,103 as the value of farms. The value of village, town and city property amounted to $74,637,735; the chattle property amounted to $97,209,189, making an aggregate total of taxable property of $439,876,349. On this basis $4,227,708 of taxes were assessed. The live stock was valued at $34,432,189. In this short space of sixteen years one million and a half of acres of land have been added to the duplicate: the value of the lands not quite double (up to 1859) the chattle property increased four and a half times in valuation-the village, town and city property - a little more than doubled and the live stock increased three-fold in its aggregate valuation. In 1850 there were 7,104,528 head of live stock; in 1866 there were 10,733,222 head or an increase of fully fifty per cent. in numbers in sixteen years. It may be said, however, that the aggregates do not convey a proper idea of the actual increase—that this increase may have been in sheep or in swine, and that the actual increase of wealth is less than this proportion would indicate. I have therefore adopted the German system of reducing all live stock to a uniform standard. Accepting cattle as the unit or basis, and estimating a horse or mule equal to two head of cattle, ten sheep or six swine equal to one head. Upon this basis there were equal to 2,759,441 head of cattle in Ohio in 1850, and 3,612,232 head in 1866, or an absolute increase of about 33 per cent. in numbers. Taking into account the improved quality of our live stock, as evidenced by our herd. books, New York and other markets, I think we are fully justified to state that the live stock in Ohio in 1866 has increased fully equivalent to fifty per cent. in numbers on that of 1850. I do not think that it is assuming untenable grounds in claiming that a very large proportion of this increase is due to the labors of this Board. Is it not the "bread cast upon the waters," when for the few thousand annually appropriated by the State for the encouragement of agriculture millions are added, not only on the grand duplicate for taxation, but the actual wealth of the State is increased to that amount? If any one will compare the condition of farms and farmers as they were in every respect twenty years ago, when this society was first organized, with the present condition of both, he will be surprised to find what great improvements and progress have taken place; and while it is cheerfully admitted that much is due to a general spirit of progress induced by our excellent system of common schools; the introduction and establishment of a net work of railways, thus placing at the command of the producer facilities for the ready transportation of the products to the best markets in the United States; yet it must, at the same time, be admitted that the spirit of progress and improvement has been greatly stimulated by the labors and actions of this Board. In order that the Board may further extend its usefulness, it has now offered premiums for practical essays on farming, manuring and underdraining. It is believed that the importance of manuring, as well as that of underdraining, is not sufficiently well understood by farmers in general, or at least not practiced by them in such a manner as to insure the greatest returns from the soil. It is believed that proper underdraining is the first necessary step in the proper cultivation and management of the clay soils of Ohio. Another equally important subject, upon which much practical knowledge is yet required, is the management of grass lands and permanent pastures. In all proper systems of farming the productions of manures should be regarded as being one of as great importance as the production of crops, or cattle themselves, and therefore, it is desirable to obtain all the knowledge possible on this important subject. Very little is known of the physological and hygienic laws of breeding animals, and in a State like Ohio, where cattle, horse and sheep breeding is one of the most important branches of agricultural industry, some system of experiment, or series of observations should be instituted by which these laws may become known and then widely disseminated, so that while we are producing vast quantities of live stock, we at the same time may be producing the best qualities. The wisdom displayed by the founders of the Ohio State Board of Agriculture is manifested in another point, and that is that there are no permanent or honorary memberships. Some States have life members. In this State no fee is required and persons can become members through an election only; hence the State Board having no "dead weights" to carry, is always on the direct route of progress and improvement; and its affairs are managed by a body of men deeply interested in the progress, development and advancement of agricultural interests. UNRESTRICTED LABOR RESOLUTIONS. John M. Millikin offered the following resolutions, and, on his motion, they were laid on the table for further discussion: 1. Resolved, That labor, of all grades and all values, should be free; that its value should depend upon the supply and demand, and such other legitimate causes as usually affect the value of other things in an unrestricted open market. 2. Resolved, That all combinations of men, under whatever names organized, intended to depress or to increase the market value of labor, or the products thereof, are unjust in principle, subversive of the rights of those who are controlled or unfavorably affected thereby, and against an enlightened public policy. 3. Resolved, That the farmers of the country are the immediate victims of the oppressive and unjust exactions of all the multifarious combinations instituted to compel men to pay more for labor, or its products, than they would otherwise be worth in the market; and that, unaided, they have no power to counteract their machinations, but are continually subject to their extortions. 4. Resolved, That all combinations of carriers, for the purpose of maintaining or increasing rates for transportation of property, are embarrassing to those engaged in trade, and oppressive to producers and consumers, and should be prohibited by law. 5. Resolved, That the mischievous and combined efforts of a small proportion of the population of the country, which are now being made, to increase the price of labor, and the products thereof, twenty-five per cent., by reducing the hours for mechanical and other labor, from ten to eight hours, if successful, will work incalculable injury to the agricultural community, and will seriously disturb all their business operations. 6. Resolved, therefore, (as the sense of this Convention), That the proposed change, now so persistently pressed, should not be received with any favor by the Legislature of Ohio; but that, on the contrary, our Senators and Representatives should be earnestly requested to pass a general law, which shall by vigorous enactments prohibit all combinations, all monopolies, by whatever name known, or for whatever pretended purpose organized, which shall attempt to fix, determine, or regulate the value of labor, or its products, or shall unite together for the purpose of compelling shippers or others to pay uniform rates for transportation, fixed and agreed upon by said carriers to promote their own interests irrespective of the just rights of either dealers, producers or consumers. COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS. On motion of Hon. Wm. Lang, the Chair appointed a committee to report business for the consideration of the Convention, composed of Messrs. W. Lang, Col. G. S. Innis, and Fergus Anderson. DISTRIBUTION OF ANNUAL REPORTS. T. F. Wildes offered the following resolution : Resolved, That the Ohio State Board of Agriculture recommend the passage by our Legislature of an amendment to the present act for the encouragement of agriculture, that will cause the Agricultural Reports of this Board to be distributed through the agricultural societies of the different counties, instead of through the members of the Legislature or County Auditors, as is the present practice. On motion of Col. Harris, the resolution was referred to the committee on Business. J. C. Stevens, of Hardin, offered a resolution of thanks to the State Board and its efficient Corresponding Secretary, for the energy and ability which have given success to the State Fairs. Agreed to. CANDIDATES FOR MEMBERS OF THE BOARD. On motion of Col. John H. Branch, the Convention proceeded to the nomination of candidates to fill vacancies in the Board of Agriculture. The following named gentlemen were put in nomination : James W. Ross, Wood county; J. H. Coulter, Franklin county; J. Parke Alexander, Summit county; R. R. Donnelly, Wayne county; Jas. Buckingham, Muskingum county; Dan. McMillan, Green county; John H. Branch, Clermont county; John E. Matchett, Darke county; G. S. Innis, Franklin county; Geo. Putnam, Athens county; Wm. Lang, Seneca county; Alvin Brightman, Huron county; J. L. Tyler, Licking county; R. F. Burt, Guernsey county; Reub. Harshman, Montgomery county; Dr. Conklin, Shelby county; J. S. Hoblitt, Clinton county. On motion, the Secretary was directed to have tickets printed for the use of members at the election. On motion of Mr. Humrickhouse, The election of officers was made the special order for seven o'clock in the evening. The Convention then took a recess until two o'clock P. M. AFTERNOON SESSION. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS. Judge Wm. Lang, from the committee on Business, made the following report: Mr. President: Your committee, to whom was referred the duty of proposing business for discussion at this Convention, have had that subject under consideration, and now beg leave to report that the following, amongst others, are subjects for action at this Convention, viz: 1st. That the agricultural interest of Ohio demands an early adjustment of the questions pertaining to the establishment of an Agricultural College in this State, in conformity with the act of Congress making a grant of lands for that purpose. Your committee are informed that the scrips for said grants have all been sold, the proceeds realized, and everything ready for the action of the Legislature. We would respectfully recommend that this Convention adhere to the resolution it adopted in its session of 1865, and again indorsed in 1866, expressing itself in favor of one college, and opposed to the division of the funds. 2d. We would also recommend the adoption of the resolution offered by T. F. Wildes, Esq., of Athens, concerning the distribution of the reports of this body, having the same so amended as to provide for such distribution in counties where no agricultural societies exist. 3d. We would also suggest the adoption of such measures as may be necessary to provide for an increase of the members of the State Board of Agriculture, to the number of nineteen, having one in each Congressional District in the State. W. LANG, FERGUS ANDERSON, Committee. Mr. Lang said: While the committee report these topics, they do not wish it to be understood that they affirm any opinions on the several subjects presented. The report was received, and on motion of Mr. Jones, was taken up for consideration. AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE FUND. A motion was made and seconded to adopt the first section of the re. port, whereupon Judge Jones remarked as follows: The Convention is probably aware that a year ago the Legislature passed an act providing for the appointment of a commission to receive propositions from any locality in the state, for the establishment of an Agricultural College. This commission was appointed by the Governor. I was made a member |