PROCEEDINGS. ANNUAL MEETING, 1886. FIRST DAY. LINCOLN, NEB., Jan. 19th, 1886. In compliance with provisions of law in this matter made and provided, the Nebraska State Board of Agriculture convened in the ball of the House of Representatives, this day, at 3:30 o'clock. Officers present J. B. DINSMORE, President. R. DANIELS, First Vice-President. F. H. HOLT, Second Vice-President. R. W. FURNAS, Secretary. W. R. BOWEN, General Superintendent. A. HUMPHREY, Assistant Superintendent. H. B. NICODEMUS, Superintendent Gates and Tickets. O. M. DRUSE, Master Transportation. Roll called. The following members of the State Board present: L. A. KENT, H. B. NICODEMUS, W. BARSTOW, J. B. MCDOWELL, S. M. BARKER, R. W. FURNAS, O. M. DRUSE, E. N. GRENNELL, CHRIS. HARTMAN, R. R. GREER, W. E. HILL, C. W. CONKLIN, M. DUNHAM, R. H. HENRY, W. R. MCCULLY, FRANK H. HOLT. On motion, Wheeler, McCully, Grennell, Greer, and Barstow were appointed a Committee on Credentials of representatives from county societies. Mr. McIntyre moved that district agricultural organizations in this state be included with county organizations. Mr. Dunham moved to amend that representatives be extended the courtesies of the floor, with right to participate in all discussions, but no vote. The amendment prevailed, and motion as amended adopted. The Committee on Credentials in due time reported the Presidents or Delegates from county societies present and entitled to seats as follows: Adams-W. T. PUTT, Delegate. Antelope-E. S. BUTLER, President. Boone-LORAN CLARK, Delegate. Dawson-C. H. BALLINGER, Delegate. Dodge-W. L. MAY, Delegate. Douglas-JOHN T. PAULSEN, President. Fillmore-J. JENSEN, President. Franklin--E. H. MARSHALL, Delegate. Furnas-JOSIAH CARMEAN, President. Gage-JOSEPH ELLIS, President. Gosper-H. H. BRUNSTETTER, President. Hall-E. A. BARNES, President. Hamilton-F. H. STEVENS, President. Harlan L. H. KENT, Delegate. Jefferson-W. W. WATSON, Delegate. Richardson-JULIUS SMITH, President. Seward W. GILL, Delegate. Sheridan-D. W. MOFFITT, President. Thayer-C. B. COONS, President. Valley-S. H. WEBSTER, President. Washington-E. S. GAYLORD, President. Wayne-WM. FRAZIE, President. Webster-J. C. WARRINER, Delegate. York-H. FRY, Delegate. President Dinsmore read the following annual address, which, on motion, was referred to a committee consisting of Wheeler, Furnas, Nicodemus, Kelly, and Grennell, for apportionment, and recommendation for action as to his suggestion : PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS. Gentlemen of the State Board of Agriculture: A year has passed since we last met in annual meeting. Many of you have felt that the ever-increasing cares and responsibilities of a busy life have borne heavily upon your time and strength. Some of you, no doubt, have felt that you could not respond to any further calls upon your already over-burdened time. Still, to each appeal for help you have come manfully to the front and sustained me with your council, advice, and assistance. But for the ready and cordial support you have at all times extended, I should have often felt that my responsibility was too great. A year ago, by your vote, our annual fair was located in this city. To many of you this looked but the beginning of the end, and that end to be disaster, if not ruin, to the Society. From the hour when that ever-memorable ballot was taken, those closely connected with the active management of the affairs of the Society were aware that greater exertion must be put forth than ever before to secure results that should enable those of you who voted to locate here to point with pride to the most successful exhibit ever made under the auspices of the Society; to show a balance in the treasury that should for ever put to rout the assertion so often made, in and out of our meetings, that the Society could not hold a fair so far inland and make the same a success. To all who have thus argued, the late fair was a most absolute denial of the argument. The phenomenal success attained by our late fair is the subject of conversation and congratulation wherever the subject of fairs is talked of. There are many elements that entered into and made possible the great success, among which may be mentioned the generous and liberal aid rendered by the citizens of Lincoln, by which the commodious buildings, sheds, and pens, as well as the admirable grounds, were furnished without cost to the Society. Not only did they furnish everything they agreed to, but much more. The generous and courteous treatment extended by the railroads of the state made it possible for the exhibitors and guests to attend at the smallest outlay of time and money. Never were there so many citizens of the state who are engaged in the various branches of agriculture present at any one fair, all of whom I hope carried home some lesson that shall be of practical use in solving questions met in everyday life on the farm or in the shop. The people of the state, as did the stranger from beyond our border, came forward with exhibits in number, extent, and variety far exceeding anything ever witnessed at any former fair. Gathered from far and near, the handiwork of the child of six or eight years, as well as that of the octogenarian, the produce of him who counts his possessions by eighty acres, and he who has an entire section of land. Magnificent as all this was, I confidently expect to see it eclipsed in the near future. The people of our own, as well as other states, are aroused to the fact that this state of ours is no longer in its infancy, but is fully grown; that its citizens not only know what they want, but that they have ready cash in hand, or money deposited in King Corn's bank, with which to honor any drafts made upon them for stock with which to improve the common herds, studs, or flocks of the state. With this appreciation of our wants, exhibitors of live stock will come from far and near to dispose of their surplus, for all of which adequate provision must be made by you for shelter and water. Ample and complete as were the grounds, buildings, sheds, and pens, experience |