SOLON ROBINSON, 1838 89 



And now, you being agreed with me, that a great good 

 may be accomplished by such a society, the branches of 

 which shall extend into every county of the Union, will 

 you take it upon yourself to effect the first organization? 

 Will you draft a constitution and nominate some gentle- 

 man who will act as the first president? (I suggest the 

 Hon. H. L. Ellsworth, Washington.) Make every editor 

 of an agricultural paper, and such others as you think 

 proper, vice-presidents. A treasurer should be appointed 

 to receive voluntary contributions towards forming a 

 fund to defray necessary expenses of printing, &c. and 

 sending abroad agricultural publications, and printing a 

 splendid certificate of membership, which fathers would 

 exultingly show their children as a mark of honor. A 

 corresponding secretary should be appointed in every 

 county and principal town, who would be active in enlist- 

 ing members, and communicating a mass of information 

 to the principal secretary, &c. The grand object would 

 be, to enlist such a mass of influential men in the society, 

 that farming would become popular and fashionable, so 

 that parents would no longer seek to get their children 

 into a more fashionable or "more genteel employment." 



A great good could also be accomplished by annual 

 meetings of such a society. The delegates from every 

 state, not only bringing together a vast amount of useful 

 information, but rare and valuable seeds from every part 

 of the Union for mutual exchange, and also curious speci- 

 mens of vegetable and mineral products, which in time 

 would form a most curious and unique cabinet of natural 

 curiosities. 



If the project is not visionary — if it can be carried into 

 effect, do not let it rest. Your standing and influence 

 will give a weight to the matter, that I, an individual but 

 little known, cannot command. But my humble exer- 

 tions and small means will be freely given to roll the ball 

 ahead, when once started. 



I think you can associate twenty gentlemen at least, 

 with you in Albany, who will be willing to lend the 



