Montgomery County, Ohio - Chapter 20, 1882

Chapter 20

of Agriculture," a body corporate of fifty-four members, representing tk several'counties of the State, with perpetual succession, agreeable to laws and rule expressed in the act creating the Board. Henry Protzman, a prominent citizen c this county, was selected as the representative of the county. As to the time c service of each member, it was provided that one-half of the terms were to expir annually, and the members to determine their terms by lot. The Board were t meet each year at Columbus. The President of each county agricultural associs tion was ex-officio a member of the Board.

At the meeting of the Board, the several reports of the county societies wci read, vacancies filled, and a general deliberation and discussion held as to th wants and necessities of the agricultural interests of the State.

The act passed creating this Board also provided " that when thirty or mod persons organized themselves into a society for the improvement of agriculturt and having adopted rules and by-laws agreeable to the Ohio State Board, an when there had been raised by initiation fees subscription or donation of a sum c money not less than $ 50, then upon a presentation of a certificate of the fact b the President of the Association to the Auditor of the county, then the county wa required to donate an equal amount, provided the same did not exceed §>200. This was the first step on the part of the State of Ohio offering encouragement t the formation of county agricultural societies.

In 1853 these associations were declared " bodies corporate," with th " authority and power of holding real estate in fee simple. " Counties were als further authorized to contribute to these respective organizations. From that dat and following that act the various agricultural associations began the purchase c grounds and the building of permanent improvements thereon.

The first, attempts at the formation of agricultural societies were in 1849 The prominent persons in the undertaking, and those who gave it character an devoted their time and energies in their efforts to promote its usefulness and sue cess, were Col. H. Protzman, Col. Partridge, Col. Jeff Patterson, Judge Boll Charles Anderson, afterwards Governor of Kentucky, Daniel Kiser, Henry M Brown, Isaac Inskip and Robert W. Steele.

The first fairs were held in the wagon yard in the rear of and belonging tf Swaynie's Hotel, East First Street. The stabling and sheds furnished ampl accommodations for the cattle and other stock on exhibition. Fairs were bel here for two or three years.

The receipts were not large. When they did not equal and balance the ex penditures, the difference Avas usually made up by donations from enterprising an public-spirited citizens.

The principal purpose in view on the part of the managers was the educatioi of the people into an appreciation of the benefits of these associations an exhibitions.

Agricultural Association. Its Managers, Etc

With probably two exceptions, Robert W. Steele and Gov. Anderson, these nn are all dead. They were representative men of their day. The records of t > labors and efforts of these men in this field of education and advancement of alricultural and industrial knowledge, will last as a noble and imperishable monunt to their memories.

Three acres of ground were leased of Daniel Kiser, north of Dayton, where fair was held for three or four years, when from lack of public patronage it was /continued, and no fairs were held in this county until the fall of 1852. In /gust of that year a number of gentlemen met at City Hall for the purpose of x iving the Association. An organization was effected with William Brown as resident; Daniel Thatcher, Vice-President; Robert W. Steele, Treasurer; and ver Kitteridge, Secretary.

This was the first organization of the Montgomery County Agricultural Assov tion under the laws and rules of the Ohio State Board. On October 21 of tit year a fair was held on the original " stamping grounds," Swaynie's wagon j rd.

A reference to the financial success of the exhibition may not prove uninter - ejing as an indication of the amount of funds necessary to conduct a fair in those d/s, and also as suggestive of the very generous patronage of the public in an ent tainment for its benefit only.

Receipts

In 1855 the membership increased to 1000, the fair a success, and debt of /00 cancelled. In that year ten acres of the present grounds were purchased, a|l in 1856 the fair was first held on the site of the present grounds.

In 1856 Robert W. Steele, President; S. Rohrer, Vice-President; C. Kitte- >:ge, Secretary; H. M. Brown, Treasurer. Directors - D. Kiser, J. Bull, J. T. glesy, H. D. Wagoner and A. Sunderland. Total receipts 1856, $3,843.66. tal expenditures $3,843.66.

In 1857 Robert. W. Steele, President; W. C. Davis, Vice-President; 0. Kittege, Secretary; D. H. Dryden, Treasurer. Total receipts $1,582.93. Total exjhditures $1,455.83. Balance in Treasury $127.10.

In 1858 W. C. Davis, President; Jeff Patterson, Vice-President; D. H. Dry- <n. Treasurer; 0. Kitteridge, Secretaiy. Managers - S. Rohrer, D. Kiser, Brice He, Dr. D. Lyons and Wm. Pease.

In 1859 W. C. Davis, President; Jeff Patterson, Vice-President; D. H. Dry 'U, Treasurer; A. W. Rice, Secretary. At the close of the fair the society found elf in debt $3,199.06, owing to the purchase of additional grounds, bad weather d non-attendance of citizens.

In 1860 Thomas Brown, President; .Jeff Patterson, Vice-President; D. E Dryden, Treasurer; Thomas Shaffer, Secretary. The fair a failure and the Am ciation $389.20 ahead in expenditures above receipts.

1862, 1863 and 1864 were unprofitable years, the Association constant! growing deeper in debt. Such was its financial condition with no encouragemer of its liquidation through future patronage on the part of the community, that th county came to its rescue, and purchased of the Association its 22.18 acres < ground for $5,000. In 1866 it also purchased the remaining tract of 7.72 acre for $6,500, making 29.90 acres in all, for the total consideration of $11,500.

In 1869 the receipts did not equal the expenditures, and consequently the fai was a financial failure. What reasons were offered we do not know. It seem that the weather was extremely fine, but the attendance remarkably small.

In 1871 the fair a financial failure. On this occasion the association bold! complained to the State Board that it was wholly due to a lack of patronage of th citizens.

In 1873 the 20th and last annual fair was held by the Montgomery Oouut Association. The fair proved a success. Such is a chronological history of tb Montgomery County Agricultural Association.

In the meanwhile the growing city, the competition among the increasin numbers of agricultural implements, improvements in farming and in the qualit of its grains and other products, the culture and wealth of the valley, all seemed t warrant a permanent exposition, commensurate in all its appointments, premium and exhibitions, to the pretensions of the people of the city and surroundiu country.

To keep pace with and meet the new order of things, a number of those wk had been identified with the agricultural and productive interests of the city an county, and who were representative and enterprising men of the times, associate themselves into an "Agricultural, Mechanical and Industrial Association for tb purposes of encouraging those branches of industry, improving agriculture, mechar ism and all kinds of live stock. "

The names of these gentlemen were Gabriel. B. Harman, Marcus Fells, I oh: Stroup, Charles Harries, John V. Nauerth, Richard C. Anderson and Nickola Ohmer.

A certificate of incorporation was filed February 23, 1874. The capital stoc of the company was $100,000. Number of shares 2,000 at $50 per share.

Ten per cent of the capital stock was readily subscribed, and thereupon, agree able to a resolution of the Association, thirteen members were selected to act a Directors, as follows: Charles Harries, John Stroup, Marcus Eells, Alexander Me Connell, Fielding Loury, Nicholas Ohmer, G. B. Harman, Geo. Ohmer, Adar Schantz, P. P. Mesler, John W. Butt, D. H. Dryden and C. C. Moses.

a L with the constitution, the Directors drew lots to determine the length of time eh was to serve, resulting as follows: A. McConnell, N. Ohmer, C. C. Moses, iam Schantz and F. Loury, three years each; G. B. Harman, D. H. Dryden, IP. Mesler and J. W. Butt, two years each; Chas. Harries, John Stroup and

Then commenced a series of weekly and nightly meetings, the formation and Vrk of committees, and preliminary negotiations with reference to the selection of grinds and preparations for a fall meeting of the fair.

The Association leased the fair grounds of the county for fifteen years, agreeii at the end of their lease "to return it to the company in as good a condition as tiy received it, wear and tear excepted."

At a meeting of the Directors May 23, 1874, on motion of Mr. Harman, it \V3 decided to hold the first annual meeting on the 29th and 30th of September, 1 1st, 2d and 3d days of October.

In the meantime the grounds had to be put in order, new buildings erected, a- increased number of stalls constructed to better accommodate horses, cattle, sheep

I I hogs. During that slimmer and on the approach of fall, the fair grounds was ajeene of busy activity, and when the fair opened in the fall of 1874, to a generous alienee of the citizens of this vicinity and distant points, the people realized the afness of the work done and the improvement and advancement of the new over tl old. A magnificent exposition hall had been constructed, the race track enkged, new machinery halls, new amphitheatre and other modem improvements qgesting the progress and enterprise of the managers of the Association.

The fair was a success and met the anticipations of its managers, and augured wl for the future. The immense concourse of people who were in attendance on 1 memorable Friday when Gold Smith Maid trotted, was the largest assemblage e'r in attendance upon the fair grounds.

However, a large indebtedness necessarily resulted from the heavy expenditi s in improvements, premiums and incidental expenses growing out of this great plic enterprise. This debt the Directors had to personally assume without any mediate recourse upon the Association, or any available property to recover from, ley simply confided in the belief that the patronage of the enterprising and public spited community would sustain them in their efforts to build up a magnificent p osition which ultimately would prove a financial success and reflect its benefits pn the community and at the same time enable them thereby to cancel this debt a:, release them from their personal liability. This has never as yet occurred, the iiebtedness being assumed by each succeeding Board of Directors, the Directo: recognizing the fact that when a man ceased to be a Director, his personal hail ty for the debts of the Association should also cease.

All this time Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Toledo and neighboring and ml cities were competing for patronage, and using every means to enlist the a mi ion of the people abroad, and invite them to a visitation of their respective as. This then required greater exertions on the part of the Directors of the Mociation, and preparations were at once made for a spring meeting in 1875.

But we will not follow the Association in its efforts and failures since 1874 to b present time. We have simply this to say, that under the most adverse circurns'lces they gradually reduced the debt. In 187 6 it had reached its maximum aount of $16,987.33. In 1881 it had been reduced to $4,500.

In 1875 the retiring members of the Board and the same presiding officers ^;e re-elected with G. B. Harman as Treasurer, and John A. Miller as Secretfk.

bold were elected for three years ; S. M. Sullivan and Elias Heathman for one yei N. Ohmer, President; John Stroup, Vice-President; G. B. Harman, Treasure J. A. Miller, Secretary.

In 1878 T. C. Dobbins, A. 0. Marshall, Philip Haas, W. A. Mays were elect for three years. M. Ohmer, President; J. W. Butt, Vice-President; G. B. Ha man, Treasurer; J. A. Miller, Secretary.

In 1879 G. B. Harman, J. W. Butt, W. Silzel, J. Weinrich were elected f three years. N. Ohmer, President; J. W. Butt, Vice-President; G. B. Hanna Treasurer; J. A. Miller, Secretary.

In 1880 A. McConnell, C. C. Moses, tA. Sharpe, M. A. Nipgen were elect for three years. J. W. Butt, President; A. C. Marshall, Vice-President; G. Harman, Treasurer; Nicholas Metz, Secretary.

"That we, the Directors of the Southern Ohio Fair Association, recommei that the number of Directors be reduced to seven, such recommendation tojiesu mitted to the stockholders at the next meeting."

On January 1, 1881, the foregoing resolution as presented December 4, 188 was submitted to a vote of the stockholders. 520 votes were cast, of which 5i were for and 17 against reduction.

On January 1, 1881, the expiration of terms of Messrs. Dobbins, Haas, Marsha Mays, and the acceptance of resignations of Messrs. Sharpe, Moses and Nipgen ai the election of Eli Fasold to fill vacancy, left the Board composed of seven rnembei as follows: J. W. Butt, F. Reibold, G. B. Harman, Alexander McConnell, 1

Silzel, Isaac Weinrich and Eli Fasold. The Board then organized by the electii of J. W. Butt, President; F. Reibold, Vice-President; G. B. Harman, Treasure N. Metz, Secretary.

There was no fair held in the year 1881, although the same was advertise as is also the case for 1882, the charter of the Association making it necessary, comply with the State law in that respect. The Association have had a bill passi by the State Legislature, giving it authority to sell the grounds and improvement

We find that with all the labors and efforts of the managers for thirty year these annual exhibitions have as a rule proved financial failures, and the variot associations under different administrations constantly in debt.

A number of those constituting the present Board have been its managers co tinuously since the organization of the Association, and were from time to tir active members of the Montgomery Gounty Association. They have devoted the aggregate years of labor, given it for the benefit of the public, and ha never received a dollar of compensation for their services. On the contrary, t motives that prompted them are of the noblest type, namely, the education- a: promotion of a higher appreciation of the handiwork of man in the mechanici industrial and agricultural arts and sciences. We must conclude, then, that t blame and fault lies with the community - with the merchant and manufacturer the city and the farmers of the county, who were each benefited by these exhil tions.

First Society

On the 31st day of July, 1846, a meeting wras called at the office of E. Brown for the purpose of forming a horticultural society, A. M. Clark w Chairman and R. P. Brown Secretary, Robert W. Steele, Augustus Newell and P. Brown were authorized to prepare a constitution and by-laws for the gover ment of the society and directed to report at an adjourned meeting on the 3d August, at which time the Dayton Horticultural Society was organized, full of b and energy, judging from the records. The permanent officers were, Dr. J Haines, President; Robert W. Steele, Milo G. Williams and R. P. Brown, Vic

Pisidents; John W. Van Cleve, Secretary, and H. L. Brown, Treasurer, with a dncil consisting of Messrs. A. M. Clark, Augustus Newell, William .Jennison, ;]Best, and W. C. Gibson. Committee on Library, Milo G. Williams and George (Jen; on fruits, Job Haines, A. M. Clark, A. W. Stub and Henry Best; on iders, William Jennison, W. C. Gibson, J. Coblentz and -J. Smith; on vegeta- ,li, L. T. Harker, A. Newell and B. P. Brown.

The year 1846 must have been a great fruit year in Montgomery County and l quality fine, judging from the records of this old society. For example, H. drown exhibited plums, "Duane's Purple," "some measuring 5J inches in cirujiference;" W. F. Comly, a "Crawford" late peach, which measured 11! inches iuircumference and weighed 11 ounces; a Smock was shown by C. W. Church, T.lch measured 12 inches in circumference and weighed 15 ounces. The newsier offices of that day, it seems, vied with the citizens in contributing their mite cards making the society attractive, for we find the Journal office credited with ribiting some very fine apples, one a "Tulpehocken," from the orchard of John Hlderman, measuring 15^ inches in circumference and weighing 28 ounces; an- "Monstrous Pippin," from the orchard of George Mathews, Wayne Towncj), 151 inches in circumference and weighing 26 ounces. Apples, pears, i®hes, plums, quinces, nectarines, grapes, raspberries, strawberries, figs, flowers a vegetables seem to have been shown in the greatest abundance. In the fruit a flower department the principal exhibiters were Dr. Job Haines, Robert W. Stele, W. F. Comly, Milo G. Williams, J. Wonderly, C. W. Church, Augustus 1 j/ell, R. C. Schenck, Dr. Langstedt, Wilham Jennison, S. T. Harker, H. S. Aiiams, M. B. Varian, E. Dutoit, and many others. The last meeting of this soety, which was certainly a model one, seems to have been held April 14, 1848, Jiunderneath the recorded proceedings, and without date, is the following memoslum, which tells the date of its demise: "After the spring exhibition of 1848

Second Society

After the lapse of nearly nine years, a meeting was held at the agricultural riehouse of Oliver Kitteridge, Saturday, March 28, 1857, and organized by the tier. of Robert W. Steele, President, and R. P. Brown, Secretary. At this a ting a constitution and by-laws were adopted, permanent officers elected and a new Dayton Horticultural Society duly organized. The officers were J. H. free, President; J. W. Van Cleve, Secretary; Oliver Kitteridge, Treasurer; Ex- 0, ive Committee, Robert W. Steele, R. P. Brown and Dr. J. C. Fisher. The uaes on record of this society are as follows: R. P. Brown, J. H. Pierce, W.

A ham Jennison, Mrs. J. F. Schenck, John Howard, J. Wolf, J. Powell, Mrs. sison, Evan Davis, Casper Beck, Susan Bakeman, J. B.Mumma, John Ingram, '-lip Hehiggle, James Perrine, H. Farrer, M. L. Green, J. C. Fisher, T. A. A e, Dr. E. Smith, J . A. W. Mumma, W. P. Huffman, J. R. Mumma, H. A;and, R. A. Kerfoot, M. Garst, George B. Holt, R. N. Comly, B. F. Eaker, W.

jomly, J. C. Stutsman, James G. Crane, and T. Benjamin - in all forty-four Ye majority of whom are now dead, leaving a record of the good works they i behind them. No meeting of the society took place until the 20th of June, u "an exhibition was held in Beckel's new hotel building, comer of Jefferson u Third streets." The only other regular meeting this society seems to have I: was at the same place on the 11th of July, when another exhibition was held.

Third Society

After an interval of more than ten years, a meeting of public-spirited citizens yV field at the Phillips House on the 7th day of December, 1867. Nicholas

Okmer acted as Chairman, and Dr. R. Gundry as Secretary. The purpose of meeting was to form a County Horticultural Society. After appointing a comn tee to draw up a constitution and by-laws, the meeting adjourned to meet again the Council Chamber December 14, at which time the present Montgom County Horticultural Society was organized, with Nicholas Okmer, Preside) William M. Gunckel, Vice-President; Dr. Richard Gundry, Secretary; and Rob W. Steele, Treasurer. Messrs. Okmer and Steele have been re-elected to ; same positions for fifteen consecutive years. The following gentlemen were pi . ent at this meeting and consequently were the organizers of the present socie Robert W. Steele, Nicholas Okmer, Richard Gundry, J. Z. Reeder, J. H. Piei, Jacob Zimmer. W. Gunckel, Henderson Elliott, H. H. Tillotson, Jacob 'Bower, . H. Heikes, E. W. Davis, J. Heikes, Fred Horn, J. H. W. Mumma and Marcus Ee . This society has held its meetings continuously to the present time, and was net in a more flourishing condition than now. It no doubt owes its long life ; ! great success to the introduction of the social feature, which has given great sa faction to the members and has been extensively copied by other societies in ] parts of the country. On the first Wednesday of each month the society meefai the residence of a member, where the essay and reports are supplemented by excellent dinner provided from the well-filled baskets brought for that purpt The essays and discussions of the society are published each month in parnph form, and coming mainly from practical horticulturists, are of great value. Ti j are widely copied by agricultural and horticultural papers and magazines in . parts of the United States. Mr. Nicholas Ohmer lias been President of j( society from the beginning, and to his constant and energetic supervision may it attributed much of the interest and success which has attended the meetir The officers for the year 1882 are: President, Nicholas Ohmer; Vice- Preside

Pursuant to notice, a large number of the pioneers of Montgomery County) sembled at the Council Chamber in Dayton, on Saturday, November, 30, 16 On motion, Samuel D. Edgar was chosen President, and E. Lindsley, Secret), and the following persons reported their age, etc. :

Henry Waymire, born in Butler Township, Montgomery Co., Ohio, July ' 1816; Gorton Arnold came to Dayton in November, 1817; Simon J. Broadv born in Morris Co., N. J., September 1813, came to Dayton in 1816; ucoi W. Kemp, born in what is now Mad River Township, in 1811; Theodore L. Sm born in Dayton in 1808; George Swartzell, born in Warren Co., Ohio, Octobe 1806, came to Montgomery County the same year; William Stansel, born in K1 tucky, came to this county in 1802; Robert W. Steele, born in Dayton, July 1819; Elias Favorite, born in Bedford Co., Pa., February 7, 1808, came to 6 county October 30, 1818; Josiah S. Broadwell, born in Morristown, N. J., A. 4, 1816, came to Dayton September 16, 1816; Abraham Weaver, born in J effer ji Township, Montgomery Co., Ohio, March 8, 1808; Dennis Elisey, born in Dayl. March 21, 1808; Michael Byerly, born in North Carolina, November 10, 16> came to this county in 1808; William Gunckel, born in Germantown, Ohio, 1; 9, 1809; Eddy Fairchild, born in Morristown, N. J., February 19, 1810, canal Dayton in 1815 ; Moses Simpson, born in Essex Co., N. .J., September 5, 17) came to Ohio in 1813; David Osborn, born in Hamilton Co., Ohio, May 22, 17 settled in Dayton in 1805; Culbertson Patterson, born in Fayette Co., Ey., Aug 27, 1797, caine to this county in 1800; Solomon Butt, born in Rockingham < Va., May 3, 1803, came to this county in October, 1809; Charles H. Spiunij! born in Essex Co., N. J., February 5, 1793, came to Montgomery County in 16 Henry L. Brown, born in Dayton, December, 3, 1814; R. P. Brown, born1

Cyton, December 6, 1811; Beriah Tharp, born in North Carolina, September 15, 1,8, came to this county in 1802; Peter Lehman, born in Frederick Co., Md.,

, . nary 2, 1798, came to Dayton in 1805; Samuel D. Edgar, born in what is now vii River Township, March 25, 1806; Ephraim Lindsley, born in Morristown,

\| J., January 28, 1808, came to Dayton in 1811; George Olinger, born in Bedxl Co., Pa., February 18, 1793, came to this county in 1811; Daniel Wertz, bin in Franklin Co., Pa., December, 1781, came to Montgomery County in 1818; eph B. H. Dodson, born in Dayton, September 10, 1817; John Waymire, n in Butler Township, August 30, 1808; John Clark, born in this county, Febnry 12, 1813; William Neibel, born in Rockingham Co., Va., May 17, 1805, jded m Miami Township in October, 1810; J. D. Phillips, born in Dayton, [kember 30, 1812; Alfred Hoover, born in Randolph Township, August 10, 1809; SD. Stout, bom in Somerset Co., N. J., came to Ohio in June, 1811; John Tiggim, born in Ireland, October 30, 1810, came to Dayton in 1818; Hugh Wiggim,

Under the first constitution any person who came to the county previous to liO, was eligible to membership, but in 1872 the constitution was so amended as '.admit any person who was fifty years in the county. The objects of the Associati;i are the collection and preservation of the records, experiences, incidents and ajlitions of the early settlement of Montgomery County, in connection with the Lory of events, times and people of later days; also to encourage pioneer simity of life, character and intercourse among members, as well as to foster habits oijndustry, integrity, sobriety, economy, goodness of heart, and friendly interarse in the walk, conversation and character of persons in younger life. The djt of May was chosen as the day upon which the annual meetings would be held, tiaonor of the date of the county's organization. The following persons were the dt officers of the society:

Mr. Holt served as President of the Association until May, 1872, at which tie Henry L. Brown was elected, and officiated in that capacity three years. In A y, 1875, J. Thompson was chosen as President, serving one year, and in May, Is 6, was succeeded by Robert W. Steele, who also served but a year. In May, 1 '7, Elias Favorite was elected President, and re-elected annually up to the p sent. More than one hundred of Montgomery County's pioneers nave signed ti Constitution since the organization of the Society. Many have died, removed, o.ceased to attend, and unless the Constitution is again changed, so as to admit ajater generation, but a few short years will elapse until the Montgomery County Sneer Association will be a thing of the past, and those now composing it laid to rt with their fathers. The officers for 1882, are:

On the 20th of April, 1872, a number of the citizens of Montgomery County Et at the residence of John Kennedy, Harrison Township, for the purpose

0 organizing a Farmers' Club, whose object would be to bring together the leadin agriculturists of the county, at stated times, for the purpose of discussing Gjects of material interest to the farming community. A constitution and of members without additional fee," also that the officers he elected annua and that regular meetings be held on the third Saturday of each of the followi months, viz., April, May, June, July, August, September, October and Nove her.

Those meetings are held at the residence or grounds of members, and excellent dinner, paid for out of the funds of the club, is a part of the day's pj gramme. An annual address is delivered by the President, and at every meeti a member, selected for the occasion, delivers a well prepared essay on some subj< connected with agriculture. In April, 1873, the following officers were electe John Kennedy, President; Nicholas Ohmer, Vice-President; M. N. Kimm Secretary; James Appelgate, Treasurer.

Many interesting essays and discussions have been the result of fcko monthly meetings, and incalculable good rendered to intelligent farming.

In April, 1878, Mr. Ohmer was again elected President, and he has be re-elected annually up to the present. M. N. Kimmel was re-elected annua as Secretary from the organization of the club up to 1879, when Henry Wa mire succeeded him, at the annual election of that year. Mr. Waymire serv until the annual election of 1881, when J. A. Bigger was elected Secretary, wki position he now occupies.

In April, 1874, John Stroup was elected Vice-President and re-elected a nually up to the present. At the same meeting A. D. Wilt was elected Treasui of the club and served until April 20, 1878, having been re-elected eveiy yes On the latter mentioned date Robert Bradford was chosen as Treasurer and i elected annually since. Every officer of the club has been energetic and efficiei and all the members have contributed something towards elevating and enligt ening the views of farmers on many subjects.

The club is now in a flourishing condition, and beside the practical Irnov edge obtained by the exchange of views and earnest, intelligent discussu among the members, those meetings are conducive of much social pleasure ai happiness. They bring the farming community closer together, thereby encoura ing habits of social intercourse among farmers. No doubt many lasting frien ships have begun at these gatherings and many warm attachments cemented mo firmly. In connection with the Horticultural Society the club have purchasi china ware and have had it decorated with the names of both societies, thus lea ing to members a souvenir, which, with the passing years, will be a reminder many by-gone happy hours. A number of Dayton's best citizens are membe of this club and have always given it their support and encouragement.