STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 85 



land grant, made years ago to the several states for this very purpose, 

 to teach something practical, is ample, if it has not been diverted 

 into some other channel, to establish a station of this kind. I sug- 

 gest that you investigate this, and see if you have not ample means 

 at hand for this purpose. 



Prof. Budd — Many of you know Prof. McAfee of our State. 

 As we had no means to meet the incidental expenses of his depart- 

 ment I took charge of the work, and asked the legislature for an 

 api)r()priation. They gave us $750. This, with the sum the college 

 is able to contribute, has enabled us to do a valuable work. We 

 have the largest collection of iron-clad fruit trees in the world. If 

 you cannot get such an appropriation as you need, accept a small 

 one and do the best you can. 



Prof. Burrill offered the following resolution: 



Besolved, That a committee of three be appointed by this Society 

 to inquire into the needs of a State Experimental Agricultural and 

 Horticultural Station; to collect the facts already ascertained by 

 established stations: the amount of money required for the purpose, 

 and to prepare a memorial on the subject to be presented to the 

 legislature of the State at its next session. 



Resolution adopted with the motion that this committee be ap- 

 pointed by the chair. 



J. M. Robison — This resolution implies money. The expenses 

 of this committee must be met. Are we prepared for this? Is 

 there not danger of asking too much and getting nothing. I think 

 there are about 25,000 acres of land yet unsold, which will bring a 

 sum that will do much toward this work. 



Parker Earle — I regret to have anything said to discourage this 

 work. The scheme of endowing this institution originated in this 

 Society. Our Industrial University is eminently })ractical, and I re- 

 gret that more of our intelligent farmers do not give their sons the 

 benefit of its training. The trustees cannot compel farmers' boys 

 to attend it, or prescribe what they shall study, but I wish to say it 

 is doing a good work, and subserving the interests of the agricultu- 

 rists of the State. The object of the resolution is to advance this 

 work, and I think we can safely spend a snuill sum for the purpose. 



Hon. S. H. West — I wish to inquire of Prof. Burrill if the 

 appropriations already made do not cover this point. 



