20 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Jan., 



respect that the citizens hold for the honest, upright, and 

 thrifty farmer. 



Secretary Brown. The programme at this point calls for 

 a response by His Excellency, Governor Roberts. I have to 

 say that I have just received a letter from the Governor in 

 which he regrets that business engagements detain him from 

 our presence. I will read his letter. 



Hartfoeid, December 7, 1905. 

 Col. James F. Brown, 



Secretary, North Stonington. 



My Dear Sir : Replying to yours of December the fifth, 

 I promised partially, if possible, to be present at Willimantic 

 at the midwinter meeting of the Board, but I find at this writ- 

 ing that it will be impossible for me to be present. 



I regret this very much, as I should have been very much 

 interested ■ in the proceedings of your meeting. The agricul- 

 tural interests are of such value to the State that I feel that 

 any official of the State should do all he could, either by his 

 presence or his efforts to stimulate and foster them. I know 

 they are well taken care of by our efficient Board of Agri- 

 culture, but it would be interesting to note the progress these 

 interests are making and to do everything in one's power to 

 assist. 



Regretting that I cannot be with you at this meeting, but 

 hoping at some future time to have that pleasure and profit, 

 I beg to remain, 



Sincerely yours, 



HENRY ROBERTS. 



Therefore, owing to the unavoidable absence of our Gov- 

 ernor, I have the pleasure to introduce to you our Vice-Presi- 

 dent, Mr. Seeley, who will preside at this session, and respond, 

 in the Governor's place, to this warm address of welcome, 

 which we have just had from the Mayor of Willimantic. 



