414 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



vent agricultural implements, frame State and national laws 

 for the government of the people, and men who otherwise 

 advance the noble work of the farmer, and bring it to a 

 place in the minds of the people at large it never before 

 occupied. 



The attendance at the Congress in Atlanta was large, and 

 brought together bright, intelligent and leading agricultu- 

 rists from various States of the Union, to consider, discuss 

 and act upon questions of national importance ; and it is 

 not too much to say of them that they discussed and acted 

 upon the questions brought before them with an ability, 

 decorum, judgment and order not surpassed in the State or 

 national legislatures. 



New England was represented by four delegates from 

 Massachusetts and one from Rhode Island; Maine, New 

 Hampshire, Vermont and Connecticut were unrepresented. 



The fifteenth annual session of the Congress' convened at 

 the Auditorium on the Exposition Grounds, Oct. 10, 1895, 

 at 11 o'clock a.m., with some two hundred members in 

 attendance. 



The president, Hon. B. F. Clayton of Iowa, called the 

 Congress to order and presided over its meetings during the 

 entire term. The other officers present were : G. M. Ryals 

 of Savannah, vice-president ; John M. Stahl of Chicago, sec- 

 retary ; W. H. Whidby of Atlanta, first assistant secretary ; 

 and T. J. Appleyard of Florida, second assistant secretary. 



Prayer was offered by Rev. Mr. Bryan of Georgia, who 

 earnestly besought divine guidance and blessings for the 

 Congress. Hon. Porter King, mayor of Atlanta, was in- 

 troduced, and made an address of welcome in behalf of the 

 city of Atlanta. In his address he referred to the farmers 

 as having a noble calling, and that agriculture was the basis 

 of human life. He spoke of the many men born and reared 

 upon farms, who had distinguished themselves in other walks 

 of life. His address was timely, and in well-chosen words 

 he extended to the members of the Congress a warm and 

 cordial welcome. 



Secretary John M. Stahl responded to the mayor's greet- 

 ing, on behalf of the Congress. He said that he was stirred 



