1 8 BANQUET TO THE 



The Hon, John E. Russell, Secretary of the State Board 

 of Agriculture, was called upon to respond for that institu- 

 tion, and spoke as follows : — 



Mr. President, and Gentlemen, — An occasion 

 like this cannot be complete without reference to 

 the active part taken by Mr. Wilder in the establish- 

 ment of the State Board of Agriculture. 



Like the comprehensive scheme for agricultural 

 education that resulted in the State College, the plan 

 of the State Board was formed at the instance of Mr. 

 Wilder. It was voted at a meetins: of the Trustees 

 of the Norfolk Society, held Jan. 28, 1851, "That 

 the President and Secretary be a Committee to 

 mature and adopt a plan for a convention of dele- 

 gates from the various Agricultural Societies of 

 the Commonwealth, to be holden at some conve- 

 nient time and place ; the object of which shall be 

 to concert measures for their mutual advantage, and 

 for the promotion of the cause of Agricultural 

 Education." 



In accordance with this vote a convention of dele- 

 gates was held at the State House on the 20th of 

 March, 185 1, of which Mr. Wilder was made presi- 

 dent ; among the vice-presidents was the venerable 

 Ex-Governor Lincoln, of Worcester. This important 



