FARMERS' CONVENTION. 39 



FARMEES' CONVENTIO:^^. 



There has been growing- for some time among the members of 

 the Board, a belief that their sessions might be made more useful 

 if certain changes could be effected. The usual length of the 

 sessions hitherto (two weeks) has proved too brief to permit the 

 accomplishment of a great deal either in the way of original investi- 

 gation, or of writing for publication ; both of which, to be successful, 

 require deliberate and uninterrupted attention. At the same time, 

 the sessions were found longer than was absolutely necessary for the 

 presentation' of papers previously prepared, and the discussions 

 naturally arising from the same, together with such other matters 

 as usually came up for action. 



It was also believed that, if a considerably larger number of 

 farmers could be induced to attend the sessions, and to contribute 

 active aid, there would be the gain which almost always obtains 

 where the giver and receiver communicate face to face, over what 

 accrues to the reader of a written or printed communication. 



Several other States having adopted the plan known as Farmers' 

 Conventions, at which lectures are delivered and discussions opened 

 by persons who have made preparations therefor, to be followed 

 by others present giving the results of their several observation 

 and experience, and this plan having been shown to possess many 

 excellencies, it was decided to attempt a beginning in this'way at 

 the present session. 



Accordingly several days were devoted to this purpose. Assist- 

 ance was kindly rendered by several gentlemen, eminent in 

 different departments of agricultural science and practice, some 

 of them residing in the State, and some from without our borders, 

 in response to an invitation to be present and participate. To 

 these gentlemen the thanks of the Board were voted, and are due 

 from the agriculturists of the State. 



The first day was chiefly devoted to a consideration of the 

 Potato, its culture and varieties, specimens of numerous vai'ieties 

 being exhibited, and their characters discussed. 



