EXCEUTIVE COMMITTEE. 521 



at the expense of the means of subsistence of the next or suc- 

 ceeding generations. Thus by our general want of thorough 

 and sufficient agricultural knowledge, we are rapidly squander- 

 ing the original munificent gift of the Great Benefactor. This 

 knowledge has much of it to be created, and more to be concen- 

 trated and made effective. 



The fostering care of State and National governments have 

 made munificent provisions for general education ; yet for the 

 education which this State's great agricultural interest require, no 

 provisions are made. For these reasons we respectfully ask your 

 Excellency to reccommend the Legislature to make suitable pro- 

 visions for the founding of an Agricultural College, in connec- 

 tion with an ample Experimental Farm, and their endowment 

 with sufficient means to secure their effective and practical ope- 

 ration, either by a grant of a portion of the swamp lands belong- 

 ing to the State, or by memorial to Congress for a special grant 

 of lands for that purpose. 



The present time seems peculiarly appropriate for such a move- 

 ment, especially for memorializing Congress, inasmuch as it will 

 be in harmony with the action of many other of the Agricultu- 

 ral States, who are now urging similar claims upon their 

 attention. An additional voice from the Oreat Northwest will 

 deepen the tone and strengthen the effort, and undoubtedly even- 

 tuate in ultimate success. 



And what is more reasonable or proper than that at least a 

 little fraction of the wide and almost unlimited public domain of 

 this and other States, should be assigned and devoted to a more 

 thorough and systematic development of the great scientific 

 principles and practical action on which every thing like eminent 

 agricultural success must rest. The liberal donation to Railroad 

 Companies, (which are but the servants and carriers of the tillers 

 of the soil), would seem to indicate at least the equal pro- 

 priety of making every needful provision for the fullest devel- 

 opment of this great primary interest, on which not only Eail- 

 roads, but Governments, and all subordinate interests essen- 

 tially, constantly, and forever depend. 



Without this Agricultural College and Experimental Farm, 



