228 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



for the reception of the Victoria Regia, with different aquatic 

 plants ranged around its sides. In the centre of anotlier, a large 

 variegated century plant, cultivated for thirty years by Dr. 

 Hitchcock, was already thriving in its new home. In the centre 

 of another a fine specimen of the banana was to be seen. We 

 are not connoisseurs in these matters, but the arrangements of 

 the building and the thrift of the plants were evidently a source 

 of great delight to the eye of President Clark, and in his skill 

 and taste we place implicit confidence. 



In conclueion, we congratulate the Board and the State gen- 

 erally that Massachusetts has at length, after long throes and 

 struggles, produced a live Agricultural College ; and if " the 

 child is the father of the man," the promise for the future is all 

 wo could desire. We know that other similar institutions in 

 our country have generally proved failures, and that governors 

 and other wise men still predict the failure of this experiment ; 

 but having been on the ground and seen the vigor with which 

 this young institution comes into existence, we have high hopes 

 that it will re.ach maturity and have a long and useful career. 

 It may need careful nursing, but we have faith in its present 

 guardians, and faith in the State by which it must be supported. 

 Massachusetts has ever taken the lead in charitable and educa- 

 tional institutions, furnishing models for the other States, and 

 we hope now to see a model Agricultural College. We have in 

 comparison with many other portions of our country, a sterile 

 soil and a rigorous climate ; but if we cannot compete with 

 some of our sister States in raising Shorthorns, we can raise 

 what is infinitely preferable — we can raise men-; and Amherst 

 affords excellent facilities for their education. 



Alexander Hyde. 

 Wm. Birnie. 



This Report was adopted, when it was unanimously 

 Voted, That the Massachusetts Board of Agriculture, as Over- 

 seers of the Massachusetts Agricultural College, are desirous of 

 uniting with the Trustees of the College, in petitioning the gen- 

 eral court to make an appropriation for the erection of such 

 additional buildings as are absolutely necessary for the uses and 

 the prosperity of the college. 



