PRESIDENT'S REPORT.

To the General Assembly of Ohio:

Pursuant to the law of 1846, for the encouragement of agriculture, the Ohio State Board make to you this Sixteenth Annual Report.

The proceedings of the Board, and of the several agricultural societies, as well as a general view of the condition of agriculture in the State, and facts and speculations interesting and useful, are presented by Mr. Klippart, Corresponding Secretary.

Mr. Potwin, for two years Treasurer, renders a very satisfactory financial exhibit.

The able reports of my distinguished predecessors are referred to with pleasure, as affording an interesting record of our industrial affairs for the last fifteen eventful years. A period in which marvelous change has been wrought in almost every department of knowledge and industry.

Many of their recommendations have received the favorable attention of the General Assembly and the sanction of the people.

The growing good will manifested by the Legislature towards the gratuitous effects of the Board to develop the resources, direct the skill, stimulate the industry, dignify the toil, and exhibit the achievements of our constituents, gives reward for the past and hope for the future.

Our crops for the year have been neither very good nor very poor-frost and drought and floods have caused some failures; yet our ample channels of trade are crowded with the surplus productions of the soil.

Many of the county agricultural societies surrendered their grounds for regimental camps, and hence there have been fewer fairs than usual. Those held, have been well sustained, and there is no probability of an abatement of interest in these genial festivals, which have done so much to improve our State and cheer our people. If prudently managed and properly fostered our county fairs are important helps to the government in securing that contentment without which the best institutions fail to bless.

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The life of the farmer is retired; he needs occasional contact with the worldcontact in which he plays no second part-where his efforts and productions constitute the objects of attraction-where he is first, and those who behold, whatever their ordinary position in society, are second. Such opportunity and such development the county agricultural society and fair affords.

What these fairs are to the counties, the State Fair is to the State.

It has hitherto been the policy of the Board to change the location of the fair every year, so as to afford to the people in different parts of the State a convenient opportunity to exhibit their productions and witness the achievements of others. In this way the State Fair has been brought within the reach of most of our people, at small cost and inconvenience to them.

The late fair was held at Dayton, upon the grounds occupied the year before, and at little expense in preparation, somewhat by way of experiment. The result can hardly be claimed to justify or condemn the plan.

Whether to hold the twelfth fair was a question of some interest; many of our best friends doubted the propriety of it. In deciding to do so, we did not overlook the solemu duty of every citizen to give his time, means, and best energies to our common country in whatever sphere most useful; nor did we disregard the hazards of failure. But charged with this specific trust, we sought to magnify our office, and deemed it well that at least Ohio should thus, near the borders of the rebellion, show the prosperity and the security of our people, as well as the stabili y of the institution for the time committed to our charge. Our appeal was nobly responded to; the fair was a success. In some departments the display was less, in others more, than usual. The attendance was liberal.

We gave a cordial welcome to the citizens of other States. Our neighbors of Kentucky and Tennessee hailed here the triumphs of peace denied them at home, and had favorable opportunity to compare the fruits of free and servile labor upon the fields of toil; while many a field of battle may teach the lesson that heroes are made of "mudsills" as well as masters, and that the drivers may be driven.

When this dreadful war shall have cleared the sky which ambition has clouded, Ohio may show a record of steady progress, furnishing a full share of officers and men, for the defense of our institutions, in the field. The interests of religion, education, industry and art, have not languished.

Under the smiles of God, our State is filled with plenty; plenty for ourselves at home-for our sons and brothers in the field and camp; plenty for the famishing of our deluded foes at the South, and for the needy abroad, for which we should be truly grateful.

We can hardly expect such abundance in the future; the drain upon the farm labor of the country and the probable vicissitudes of the seasons, renders precaution necessary to secure us in the future. We need better farming, if not more of it; better in the selection and preparation of the soil, the adaptation, culture and curing of crops; more economy in labor; in the use of the best implements; in the rearing, using and marketing of stock; more prudence in the household; a lively interest in the productions and comforts of home.

The old-fashioned virtues of honesty, sobriety, industry and economy, deserve and need to be fostered, and the graces and accomplishments of life will not the less adorn our frugal homes. Great trials can only be compensated by the

higher developments of virtue. Our institutions and people are now put to the

test

To this end the efforts of beneficent government may be justly and wisely di rected.

The establishment of a school or schools for the instruction of youth in the practical duties of agricultural pursuits, either by the State, or under its fostering care, is a work worthy the life and labors of our ablest and best legislators. This is an interest so vital, so vast and so enduring, that whoever lays the corner-stone of a successful school for its promotion, cannot fail to receive the highest rewards of a laudable ambition.

It might secure the geological surveys, the study of veterinary science, urged by my predecessors, and besides, many other branches of almost equal import

ance.

But above any specific interest, it would tend to give symmetry and dignity to the characters of our children, instructing them in the useful arts; at the same time, they may cultivate an acquaintance with each other and the glorious State we inhabit; thus fitting them to perform the duties, enjoy the privileges, and prize the blessings we possess. Other States have started in this work, and we may profit by the successes and failure of their examples.

It is to be hoped some plan may be devised to effect a change in the laws allowing the running at large of domestic animals. The present rule was appli cable to our State in its early years, and is as necessary in some portions now. In the older and better improved sections a radical change is demanded; which should only be granted with a due regard to the interests of the newer and less favored.

We have been busy building railroads for the past fifteen years. They furnish wounderful facilities, and should be fostered as great helps to agriculture. Needless burdens should not be imposed upon so valuable an interest. They bring some evils, and these may be mitigated. The annual loss of human and animal life, the destruction, by fire, of fences and crops, suggest a few thoughts upon the improvement of our railroads.

It the many laborers required upon the roads were furnished with small, comfortable homes along the track, encouraged to drain the stagnant ditches, and cultivate or mow the unoccupied grounds, and as fast as practicable supply the place of decaying fences with sightly hedges, a better class of watchmen would be secured, and these avenues would gradually come to adorn, as they must ever enrich, the State These ends might be hastened by some modification or enforcement of the requirements to fence the roads; but are dependent chiefly upon the voluntary enterprize of the companies interested.

Our State is so well supplied with fruit that there is little excuse for depredations upon our orchards and gardens; yet some more stringent or beneficent rules seem to be needed to guard even the health of the trespassers from the wanton destruction of unripe fruit.

Cruelty to animals is a revoltng crime, and worthy the attention of a Christian Legislature. We punish assault and battery upon those who can defend themselves; but those who inflict brutal injuries upon the mute partners of our toil, go unwhipt of justice.

Our acknowledgments are due to the officers of the county societies; to the exhibiters, committees and patrons of our State Fair, and to some distinguished friends of agriculture from neighboring States; to the cities and railroads which have furnished us needed facilities; to a liberal press (especially our own agricultural papers), for generous aid or forbearance; and last, though not least, to the fostering care of the General Assembly.

Respectfully submitted,

DARWIN E. GARDNER, President of Ohio State Board of Agriculture.