HON. MARSHALL P. WILDER. 97 



their present state of perfection. The whole system 

 of aofricultural education and investigation as now 

 conducted was unknown. There was not an agricul- 

 tural college in existence, boards of agriculture were 

 unknown, the United States Department of Agricul- 

 ture was not thouoht of. It was at this time that 

 Colonel Wilder entered upon his judicious and ear- 

 nest advocacy of agricultural improvement and prog- 

 ress. Every inventor found in him an encouraging 

 friend. As President of the United States Agricul- 

 tural Society his influence was felt throughout the 

 length and breadth of the land. By his persuasion 

 the State of Massachusetts was induced to organize 

 and endow her State Board of Agriculture, whose 

 long career has won the respect of all men, and whose 

 effect has been universally felt. And to him, of all 

 men in this Commonwealth, we are indebted for the 

 establishment of a well-organized Agricultural Col- 

 lege, almost the pioneer in these institutions, and 

 whose educational work has been diligently and 

 wisely pursued. There have been many enthusiastic 

 and devoted friends of agriculture in this country, 

 but there has been no one man who has exercised 

 so long-continued, untiring, and inspiring influence 

 as has Colonel Wilder. His name is connected with 

 the choicest products of our soil, and will be remem- 

 bered so long as man's love of nature, and her won- 

 derful luxuriance and beauty shall endure. His 



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