394 BOARD OF AGRICUIvTtJbE. 



In the fourth and last we consider the practical phase. Our age is an 

 extremely practical one. There is constant clamor for practical men and 

 women who have thoughts and ideas of their own — original ideas that are 

 products of their own investigation; men and women who have tlie sci- 

 ence, and with it the constructive art. By constructive art in horticulture 

 and agi'iculture we mean the power of discrimination and selection; power 

 to put into practice thoughts and ideas that are olitained from others; 

 to bring under our control the chemical and physical force in effect about 

 us; power and judgment to decorate and arrange, conducive to beauty and 

 gracefulness. The mind, although it may not be cultured, is sensitive to 

 confusion and disarrangement, hence the necessity of this constructive 

 principle in the great laboratory of the farm. The ultimate, in any pro- 

 fession, is the practical. Success is dependent to the extent that we can 

 apply our theories and ideas. It is true thaf theory mus,t precede practice, 

 but practice must follow theory or failure results. These local societies 

 do much to arouse the dormant brain and slumbering mind, quicken the 

 activity of thought and create a spirit of inquiry which leads to in- 

 vestigation. 



Let us then encourage our local societies by word and deed. Let us 

 endeavor to so instruct the coming generation that they may cultivate a 

 disposition of sociability, a love for literary work, and a desire for a broad 

 and liberal education, that they may be prepared for life in a practical 

 sense when its reality dawns upon them. 



DISCUSSION. 



Mi-s. Stevens: I do not believe anything I may say would profit you, 

 and there are other discussions that will. The points in the paper were 

 all excellent. While the State Society is supposed to give instruction to 

 local Societies, local societies are supposed to give aid and support to 

 the State Society. Had we a local Society in every county in the State, 

 and that Society sent but two representatives, the information given in 

 the State Society could be carried back to local Societies and be a benefit. 

 Also the benefit by exchange of opinion would be of inestimable value. 

 In discussions that come up here, we see very readily, conditions that pre- 

 vail in one section do not prevail in another, but general principles are 

 applicable to all, and this should form a bond of union between local and 

 State. This is the most important feature of the question. 



Mr. Kingsbury: Do any members present have any receipt for bring 

 ing the young people into this Society? For years we could not get young 

 people to take an interest in our Society. If any have succeeded I would 

 be glad to hear of it. 



Mr. S'waim: There is one thought that occurs to me, and it seems 

 to me it would add as much to the State Society, as Mr. Kingsbury 



