SECRETARY'S REPORT. 39 



it with other employments, but give to it both their undivided ener- 

 gies and their capital, and that until this was done, the highest 

 success could not be secured. In this view he most fully coincided. 



]Mr. Porter agreed with the report. It is true that many of our 

 farmers are not so industrious, energetic and persevering as they 

 ou«ht to be, and both themselves and their farms bear the mark of 

 their shiftlessness, as plainly as Cain bore his mark. It is useless 

 to think that farmers can succeed in their business, any more than 

 others, without intelligence, energy and enterprise. What is most 

 wanted among our farmers to bring them up to the mark, and wipe 

 out the mark of inferiority, is faith, force, energy and activity. 



After some further remarks the report was adopted. 



Mr. Wasson, for committee on fourth Topic, made a report in 

 which the great necessity of a geological survey of the state was 

 fully admitted and its importance forcibly set forth, but concluded 

 with the recommendation that the Board do not urge it at this time, 

 believing that in the present low condition of the finances of the 

 state, the attempt would be futile and perhaps prejudice future ac- 

 tion. The report was accepted and laid on the table. 



The next day Mr. Anderson moved a reconsideration of the vote 

 whereby it was accepted, and that it be recommitted with instruc- 

 tions. He said it was made the explicit duty of this Board, by the 

 act establishing the same, io investigate all subjects pertaining to 

 agriculture, and to make such recommendations and suggestions 

 as its interests required. 



Mr. Flint was in favor of the survey, but was afraid that those 

 who do not see the necessity of it might be prejudiced against the 

 Board, and therefore thought it not best to urge it at present. 



Mr. Wasson prized a geological and agricultural survey as much 

 as any one could. He admitted that the demand came from every 

 part of the state. But any effort to obtain it now, is futile. Ever 

 since 1834, attempts had been made, and yet little had been done. 

 Such is the low condition of the finances of the state, that although 

 we ought to have the survey, we know in all probability what the 

 answer will be, and therefore we ought not to ask it. 



Mr. Hammatt took a different view. It is our duty to recommend 

 to the legislature what we fully believe will conduce to the highest 

 agricultural welfare in the state. It is the province of the legisla- 



