STATE INDUSTRIAL COLLEGE. 



17 



Oxford. I welcome you not only to this county, but to this town, 

 to this village "set on a hill," and to this temple of justice, and 

 express the hope, in conclusion, that your deliberations here may 

 be such as will result in much profit, not only to the agricultural 

 interest of this county and of this State, but to all the interests of 

 the State. 



The President. In behalf of the Board, and of the farmers here 

 gathered, I feel it my duty to express their cordial thanks to the 

 Governor for his words of welcome, so fitly spoken. And here I 

 maj 7 as well say, as at any other time, that you will see by the 

 call of the Secretary, that this meeting is not exclusively a meet- 

 ing of the Board of Agriculture. It is a Farmers' Convention, to 

 which the farmers of the State at lai'ge, and of this county in par- 

 ticular, are invited ; and it is not only desired, but expected, that 

 you will take part in the deliberations and discussions. 



These Conventions were conceived in the idea that the interests 

 of agriculture need to be promoted as well as all other interests. 

 You are aware, every keen observer is aware, that great changes 

 have taken place within the memory of those now assembled. 

 Formerly, large and paying crops were harvested almost for the 

 asking. The seed was sown, and we had then only to reap the 

 harvest. That time has long since passed away ; but notwith- 

 standing these great changes, how is it with the agriculture of 

 to-day ? Has that changed correspondingly ? I think you will 

 say it has not ; that the practice of agriculture to-day follows 

 altogether too much in the routine of years gone by forever. Since, 

 then, the conditions under which we live have changed so mate- 

 rially, ought not our practice to undergo corresponding changes ? 

 and if so, what shall these changes be ? These are momentous 

 questions to us all ; and whether producers or consumers we are 

 alike interested in their satisfactory solution, and all alike are 

 invited to participate in our deliberations. Again, let me thank 

 the speaker for his kind words of welcome. 



Next upon the programme is an address from President Allen 

 of the State Industrial College, whom I have now the pleasure of 

 introducing to you. 



