Agricultural and Horticultural Conventions. 209 



asking the governor to appoint some farmers upon that board, and 

 it bore fruit very quickly. Our friend, Hiram Smith, was the next 

 man appointed, and, as I believe, is a very satisfactory man, not 

 only to farmers, but to everyone else. I have had conversation with 

 him with regard to some means they have on hand, which I will call 

 upon him to explain, after reading the following resolution. 



M Whereas, It is understood that the board of regents of the 

 State University have under their control a sum of money that 

 may be disposed of at their discretion, for the benefit of the agri- 

 cultural and horticultural interests of the state; therefore, 



"Resolved, That the joint convention do request the board of 

 regents to procure some suitable person or persons to hold meetings 

 or conventions in different portions of the state, for the purpose of 

 instructing the farmers in the different branches of agriculture and 

 horticulture, and to appropriate such sum of money as is at their 

 disposal, or as may be necessary, for the purpose of advancing the 

 interests of agriculture in our state." 



I will call upon Mr. Smith to explain the situation and condition 

 of matters. 



Mr. Hiram Smith — I would merely state that the question has 

 been discussed before the board of regents, as we have a portion of 

 the agricultural college fund at the disposal of the regents. Not- 

 withstanding it has been said they are lawyers, they are gentle- 

 men, and men disposed to do everything that is possible for the 

 benefit of the country, and they are disposed to do what is feasible 

 towards spreading agricultural knowledge. It has been suggested 

 before their board, that, if a competent person was employed to'go 

 into different localities, a local influence would be exercised equal, 

 perhaps not in talent, but in numbers, to that present here, and 

 perhaps more would be benefited by the truths and principles pro- 

 mulgated, because we take it for granted that all who attend these 

 meetings are pretty well posted; but in localities where they are 

 lacking in much of the knowledge necessary to progress rapidly, 

 they may be, and, I have no doubt would be, willing to bear a 

 certain share of the expense that would be incurred. The State 

 Agricultural Society and the State Horticultural Society, perhaps, 

 would also furnish means and suitable persons to go at certain 

 times, and in certain localities. The expense would not necessarily 

 be much. The home meeting could be got up at home expense 



