236 



BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



both institutions will be recognized, I am sure, even by those who 

 are pleased to think lightly of all efforts in behalf of agricultural 

 education. 



I have dwelt long upon the matter before us, longer, perhaps, 

 than is accordant with your patience, but not longer than its 

 importance deserves. I remember with pride the achievements of 

 New England in literature, science, and the arts, her schools, and 

 all her industries. I remember the oft-repeated efforts of her rich 

 men and her wise men to raise her* agriculture up to the standard 

 of all her great enterprise. And it now remains for her to erect 

 industrial schools, in which the maxims of her early patrons of this 

 art shall be renewed, reformed, improved, by the influences which 

 her best science can bring about them, — schools worthy of herself, 

 agricultural colleges where thought and labor can meet for mutual 

 benefit and encouragement. 



The foregoing lecture of Dr. Loring closed the exercises of the 

 Farmers' Convention. 



The Board, upon meeting again, took up the subject suggested 

 in that lecture, which was discussed at some length. 



A conference was also held with the legislative committee on 

 agriculture, at which there was a free interchange and comparison 

 of views and sentiments. Being unable to report the remarks 

 offered by those who spoke, it may suffice to say that, the result 

 reached was, the introduction of a bill into the legislature which 

 shortly afterwards became a law, as follows : 



An act to secure harmony of action between the Board of Agriculture and the State 

 College of Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts. 



Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in Legisla- 

 ture assembled, as follows : 



Section 1. The secretary of the Board of Agriculture is here- 

 by constitutued a member ex-officio of the Board of Trustees of 

 the State College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts. 



Sect. 2. In addition to the members of the Board of Agricul- 

 ture, as constituted by chapter one hundred eighty-six of the laws 

 of eighteen hundred and sixty, the Governor, with the advice of 

 the Executive Council, shall appoint five members at large, of 

 whom two at least shall be from the faculty of the State College 

 of Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts. Tlic term during which 

 these shall severally hold office shall be determined in the same 

 manner as the other members. 



