EXTRACT FROM GENERAL WASHINGTON S SPEECH ON THE OPENING OF 

 CONGRESS, STH DECEMBER 1796. 



&quot; It will not be doubted, that, with reference either to individual or national 

 welfare, Agriculture is of primary importance. In proportion as nations advance 

 in population and other circumstances of maturity, this truth becomes more 

 apparent, and renders the cultivation of the soil more and more an object of public 

 patronage. Institutions for promoting it grow up, supported by the public purse; 

 and to what object can it be dedicated with greater propriety? Among the means 

 which have been employed to this end, none have been attended with greater 

 success than the establishment of Boards, composed of proper characters, charged 

 with collecting and diffusing information, and enabled by premiums, and small 

 pecuniary aid, to encourage and assist a spirit of discovery and improvement. 

 This species of establishment contributes doubly to the increase of improvement, by 

 stimulating to enterprise and experiment, and by drawing to a common centre, the 

 results everywhere of individual skill and observation, and spreading them thence 

 over the whole nation. Experience accordingly has shown, that they are very 

 cheap instruments of immense national benefits.&quot; 



