^v30 [ASSEMBLT 



most effectual means of preservii^g and restoring the fertility oi 

 the soil and of procuring and distributing seeds, and plants and 

 other vegetable productions, v/ith instructions in regard to the 

 soil, climate, and treatment best adapted to their growth, could 

 not fail to be, in the language of Washington, in his last anrmal 

 message to Congress, * a very cheap instrument of immense oa- 

 tional benefit.' " 



In our own State, language and recommendations of a similar 

 character have also been used by her most distinguished sons. 

 One of our governors in his message before our Legislature, says 

 that " the promotion of agriculture is not rmly important, but 

 more important than all other interests combined," and recom- 

 mended it to their especial care and attention. A bill was intro- 

 duced in the House of Representatives at its last session, for the 

 establishment of a bureau similar to the plan recommended by 

 the President, but it still remains upon their table wi!:hout action. 



Bills of a similar kind have also been introduced in our own 

 State Legislature, and have also met a similar fate. One I will 

 mentioa which was introduced and ably advocated by a Uicmber 

 of our own county, I mean the Hon. Charles E. Clarke, the far- 

 mer of Great Bend. It was for the establishment of a board of 

 agriculture, and defraying the expenses from the Treasury of the 

 State. It passed the House by a respectable majority, but was re- 

 jected in the Senate on the last day of its session, by a motion 

 from a very distinguished member of that body to lay it on th© 

 table, saying he could not in conscience suffer so mischievous and 

 dangerous a bill as the agricultural bill to pass with'Ut fully dis- 

 cussingit. 



Such, gentlemen, have been the efforts iind such the results in 

 procuring legislative aid in this great and most important branch 

 of national and individual interest. Again I inquire what can be 

 the cause of this stupidity and inaction ? Another reason as- 

 signed besides its being (/angeraM<? and mischievous^ is that we have 

 no means, that our treasury is empty. I would then inquire, is 

 it not the farmer who does more than all other classes combined 



