MONROE COUNTY. J. C. HOLMES, Esq., Sec'y Mich. State Agricultural Society: The undersigned respectfully reports that the Annual Fair for 1856 exhibited no very marked features of improvement to distinguish it from our former county Fairs, in regard either to stock, grains, fruits, or other articles for premiums on exhibition. But while this was the case, the exhibition was creditable in all departments, and in the line of Vegetables it was never excelled. The products of the Dairy were also excellent in quality, but too limited in quantity, for a county so well adapted to grazing and the stock and dairy business. The department of Domestic Manufactures was not neglected, but limited to a few specimens, and gave evidence that much more might be accomplished with profit and credit to the county. The awarding committees reported on the various subjects before them as heretofore, and distributed the usual amount of premiums. The address, by Rev. A. K. Strong, was listened to with attention, and the sentiments were cordially approved. The thanks of the Society were tendered to Mr. STRONG, and a copy requested for publication. Gen. Montgomery offered the following resolution, which was adopted: Resolved, That the President and officers of the Monroe County Agricultural Society be requested to draft a judicious Ditching Law, adapted to the wants and interests of Monroe county, and present to the members elect from this county in the State Legislature at the next session. Annexed, please find a copy of the annual address, and the Report of the Committee on Farms, for publication in your annual transactions. The other reports are very similar to those of former years. Respectfully, E. G. MORTON, Secretary. REPORT ON IMPROVED FARMS. There has been but three farms entered for premium, viz: That of Peter Loose, of Monroe township, George Willard of Ida, and Alexander McIntire, of Raisinville. These farms were all entered at a very late hour, and the examination of your committee has of necessity been made in a hasty manner. But after viewing these farms with as much care as our time would permit, we have determined to award the fist premium to Alexander McIntire, for the best improved farm in the county; the second premium is awarded to George Millard, for the se ond best improved farm. Both of these farms are in a high state of cultivation, and it was a matter of some doubt with your committe which was entitled to the first premium. We have seldom seen lanl so thoroughly drained as are the farms of both these gentlemen. Mi McIntire's farm has a variety of soil, but is mostly composed of sandy loam underlaid with clay, naturally wet, but by the thorough system of draining adopted by him, it is rendered sufficiently dry for all produce purposes. But your committee are of the opinion that if covered instead of open drains were used, it would be more beneficial, and give the farm a much more neat and tidy appearance, (if properly constructed would be more economical, certainly taking up less room on the farm.) The great objection raised against covered or underdrains, is the want of proper material and outlets to carry off the water. This, too, is the excuse of many of our half way farmers for not draining at all. They have no outlet, they say: their neighbors won't ditch below them, and it is of no use for them to drain their farms unless their neighbors will To such we would say, go and do as Mr. Willard has done; ditch your neighbors land for him. do so. There seems here to be a want of some wholesome legislation upon this subject. Mr. McIntire has a large assortment of fruit, and about one thousand bearing apple trees. His farm denotes a degree of industry unsurpassed by anything which has come under the eyes of your committee. His farm is good and in good repair; fields conveniently ar ranged; though in this respect we think some improvement might be made. Also his barn arrangement might be improved; particularly the horse-barn, which opens into the public highway, thereby not only subjecting himself to much annoyance by street animals, both biped and quadruped, but annoying his neighbors and the public by wagons and carts, &c., in the highway, and by the manure pile thrown into the street from the barn. We think if our farmers would study economy they would cease to build their barns and farm buildings opening into the highway. For further particulars relating to the manner of conducting this farm, you are referred to the written statement furnished your committee by Mr. McIntire, and which accompanies this report. Mr. McIntires farm is an alluvial deposit, underlaid with clay, nearly the whole of which has been redeemed from what was termed by the early settlers marshy meadow; our best prairies and swamps being originally almost entirely covered with water during the spring, fall and winter months. Mr. Willard certainly deserves much credit for the thorough manner in which he has drained these lands, thereby bringing them into condition to raise any crop grown by the farmers of this county; and it is only necessary to pass over those beautiful fields to become satisfied of their productiveness, the thorough culture practised by him, the neatness and order which prevails, and the good taste and sound judgment by which he is guided in his operations. And here, upon land which to the certain knowledge of your committee was originally a cat-tail swamp, we saw a field of corn which would do credit to any land or any farm. Indeed it surpasses any field of corn which has come under our notice the present season. Here the fact is fully demonstrated, that the low lands of Monroe county are capable of being fully redeemed and rendered the most fertile. As yet no particular system of rotation has been adopted by Mr. Willard; his aim being first to get rid of the surplus water, which, judging from the size and number of his drains, he has pretty effectually succeeded in doing. In passing around the county, your committee have noticed with pleasure the improvements which have been made from year to year. But while we dwell upon the thrift and the beauty of our county, and feel that we truly ought to be proud of it, permit us to look at and criticise the other side of the picture. We see a want of taste in the arrangement of farm buildings and the grounds around the farm house. While the farm is perhaps well fenced, and the fields well cultivated, productive and profitable to the owner, his house, barns and farm buildings are unpainted, uncouth, altogether out of taste, giving to the whole farm an old, unsightly appearance. This is inexcusable, and out. of character for Monroe county farmers. The farms, to use a familiar term, want dressing up. There are some noble exceptions to this, we are happy to say. There are just smiling, happy, cheerful looking homesteads enough to make a strong comparison between the thrifty and the unthrifty. A little paint or a little whitewash, a few shade and ornamental trees and flowers around a log cottage, do more to give a thrifty appearance to the farm than ten times the same outlay in blooded stock, which is more shown at our fairs; large barns with the doors broken, and boards falling off, and which are never filled, or large houses -standing in the blazing sun without a leaf to shade them, with large, well furnished parlors, which are never used. All of which is respectfully submitted. A. J. KEENEY, R. D. LAWRENCE, Committee. ADDRESS Delivered before the Monroe County Agricultural Society, by Rev. A. K. Strong. Mr. President and Fellow-Citizens: When the invitation to deliver the address before the Monroe County Agricultural Society was tendered to me last week, it was with reluctance I accepted it. The shortness of time allowed me for preparation, together with the pressure of other duties, seemed to render it inexpedient for me to make the attempt thus publicly to manifest my interest in the object you have in view in this yearly convocation of the farmers. It cannot be doubted, that with reference either to individual or national prosperity, the cultivation of the soil is of primary importance. In proportion as nations advance in population, wealth and refinement, this truth becomes still more apparent. Agriculture is the immediate source of human provision, and the foundation of success in the other departments of human industry. By the cultivation of the ground we are fed, and, to a great degree, clothed. Without it we could not have |