1907] ADRESS OF WELCOME. 1 9 



ns Thy forgiveness for all the mistakes of the past, lead us as 

 we venture out into the future, and by-and-by grant unto us 

 the reward of our striving and our trusting, through Jesus 

 Christ our Lord. Amen. 



Secretary Brown. I am sure you will all share with me 

 the deep regret which I feel that his Honor, Mayor Studley, 

 will be unable to be present this morning. I have just received 

 the follo^ving note from him, which I will read: 



Mr. President and Gentlemen of the State Board of Agricul- 

 ture: 



At a late hour last night an officer of the superior court 

 served a subpoena upon me as a witness in a damage case 

 which is being tried this morning before Judge Wheeler in 

 the superior court. I have tried to get the attorney to agree to 

 excuse me until after the noon recess, but they expect to call 

 me as a witness at almost any moment this morning. I regret 

 this more than you gentlemen possibly can, because I had 

 looked forward with assurances of personal pleasure to being 

 present, for some of you are friends of mine, and all of you 

 I should be glad to number among my friends. Moreover, I 

 have always, since the early days of my boyhood, been inter- 

 ested in everything that pertained to Connecticut farms and 

 Connecticut farming. I know that I should very much enjoy 

 the papers that will be read and the discussions that will be 

 held before this gathering. 



In conclusion, let me say to you, one and all, that I am 

 very glad you have come to New Haven, and that I hope you 

 will come again, and keep coming. 



On behalf of the city and its people, I wish to extend a 

 most hearty welcome, and once more expressing my regret at 

 being unable through no fault of my own to be present on this 

 occasion, I am, 



Very cordially yours, 



JOHN P. STUDLEY, 



Mayor. 



Pt is some consolation to us, friends, to know that if we 

 cannot have his Honor, the mayor of New Haven, with us, we 



