HON. MARSHALL P. WILDER. 19 



convention became a permanent body, under the 

 name of the Central Board of Agriculture. 



In the following year this Board addressed a peti- 

 tion to the Legislature, asking for the formation of 

 a Department of Agriculture, with offices commen- 

 surate with the importance of the duties to be dis- 

 charged. This petition led to the establishment of 

 the present Board of Agriculture. 



It was fortunate for the new Board that it found 

 at the outset a young, earnest, and competent secre- 

 tary in the Hon. Charles L. Flint, now here by my 

 side, who performed his important duties with a 

 zeal and fidelity that made our Board respected in 

 every part of the civilized world. Laws promoting 

 our interests were proposed and carried through the 

 Legislature, farmers' clubs were encouraged, important 

 experiments were undertaken, and pleuro-pneumonia 

 was extirpated from our herds. 



From the beginning, the Board has had the advan- 

 tage of Mr. Wilder's earnest leadership, wide agricul- 

 tural knowledge, and sound judgment. Neither age, 

 inclemency of weather, nor pressing occupations 

 have kept him from participation in its meetings. 

 To him the agriculture of the Commonwealth owes 

 a debt that can never be paid ; the records of our 

 Board are a monument of his good works more 

 enduring than brass. And, Sir, in view of his 

 venerable years, so lightly borne, his interest in all 



