254 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Jail.^ 



stop to think that in the last analysis of things you have got 

 to get right back to mother earth, and that the real prosperity 

 of this country and of other nations springs, in the first place^ 

 from mother earth as the source of most all wealth, then vou 

 will understand why we are talking as we are talking here 

 today ; why this matter has come up, and for my part I am 

 very thankful to this man for bringing it up in the manner that 

 the subject has been presented before us today. 



Our time has fully expired, and if there is nothing further 

 this meeting will stand adjourned until 7.30 p. m. 



THIRD DAY — EVENING SESSION. 



Convention called to order at 7.30 p. m. 



Vice-President Seeley in the Chair. 



The President. That banner that hangs on the wall indi- 

 cates that Connecticut was awarded the grand prize on tobacco, 

 a gold medal on farm products, a gold medal on butter, three 

 silver and seventeen bronze medals on individual exhibits at the 

 Louisiana Purchase Exposition. Now, we have with us to- 

 night the Hon. Charles Phelps of Rockville, who will speak to 

 us relative to this subject. 



THE LOUISIANA PURCHASE EXPOSITION. 

 By Hon. Charles Phelps, of Rockville, Conn. 



[(Who spoke extempore.) 



Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen : That epoch of 

 history which marks the transfer of the Louisiana territory 

 was so distinctive for its great activity, both this side of the 

 Atlantic and the other, in the commercial, diplomatic, and 

 scientific world, that it is well worthy of thoughtful study. 

 That period, and the one immediately preceding it, has fur- 

 nished some of the most interesting chapters of history. It 

 was a period filled with important events. Great things were 

 being accomplished. And such a feature as the acquisition of 

 the Louisiana territory, which was the transfer of the greatest 



