QUARTER-CENTENNIAL. 259 



Soon after this, a letter was received from a committee of 

 the Board, asking him to come to Boston and confer with 

 them ; which he did, but not with any intention of changing 

 his plans. After several interviews, and consultation with 

 many friends best capable of giving advice, the decision was 

 finally made to accept the office. The nomination was made 

 to the Board ; and the present secretary was elected, with 

 the understanding that he should be allowed to pass several 

 months at the Sheffield Scientific School at New Haven. 



It was expressly understood that the office would not be 

 subject to the caprices of an annual election. With any 

 other condition, the position would have been declined with- 

 out a second thought. It involved too complete a change of 

 the whole plan of life to make it prudent for any young man 

 to embark on an uncertain voyage. The committee repre- 

 senting the Board stated this point very emphatically. They 

 said, " We want you to take the office, grow up into it, and 

 make yourself useful for twenty years to come." Now, 

 twenty-five years — a quarter of a century — having passed, 

 the secretary desired to tender his resignation to the Board, — 

 a step which he had long contemplated, as many members 

 already knew. 



The secretary, thanking the Board for the entire cordiali- 

 ty, confidence, and unanimity with which the members had 

 always co-operated with him, tendered his resignation of the 

 office. 



The resignation was referred to a committee, consisting of 

 Messrs. Chadbourne of Williamstown, Clark of Amherst, 

 Moore of Concord, Wakefield of Palmer, and Phinney of 

 Barnstable. 



This committee, after full consideration, submitted the fol- 

 lowing preamble and resolution, and moved their adoption : — 



Whereas, Hon. Charles L. Flint has presented to the Board a state- 

 ment concerning his connection with the same during the past twenty- 

 five years, and has offered his resignation as secretary : 



Resolved, That the Board desires to express its high appreciation of 

 the valuable services of Secretary Flint, and hereby earnestly requests 

 him to withdraw his resignation, and continue the good work on behalf 

 of the agricultural interests of the Commonwealth, in which he has 

 achieved so enviable a reputation. 



