418 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. No. 4. 



the rapid growth of the Republic must de})end to a large 

 extent, there can be no doubt. This exchange of sentiment 

 and interchange of sympathy from people meeting to discuss 

 trade relations and business industries perhaps entered but 

 little into the original conception of the men who first insti- 

 tuted and orioinatcd the idea of the Cono-ress. 



From my own standpoint, having been delegated by your 

 Excellency to represent the State of Massachusetts at 

 Sedalia, Missouri, in 1891, and at Lincoln, Nebraska, in 

 1892, and for the third time at Savannah, Georgia, in 1893, 

 and having- at each of these gatherings taken an active part in 

 the public proceedings, and carefully listened to addresses 

 and discussions which were made and entered into by promi- 

 nent practical men from all parts of the United States, and 

 mingled with them in social conversation outside of the hulls 

 in which the public proceedings were conducted, I am free 

 to say that the value of such social intercourse and personal 

 acquaintance has no small influence in breaking down local 

 prejudices, which are often based upon a complete ignorance 

 of real conditions, and may be a cardinal feature in the intrin- 

 sic value of these annual gatherings. I therefore fully be- 

 lieve that it is in the interest of the several States of the 

 United States to give such aid in the permanent support of 

 this organization as may be in their power. 



Respectfully submitted. 



December 27, 1893. 



DANIEL NEEDHAM, 



Delegate at Large. 



