182 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Jan. 



from the subject of irrigation, because I feel it is very im- 

 portant that our young men in our colleges should be edu- 

 cated a little more in elocution, oratory and parliamentary 

 practice. 



The Chairman. Gentlemen, the discussion upon this 

 subject is now closed. The next lecture will be upon " Hay 

 for Market," by Mr. J. B. Walker of Concord, N. H., a 

 gentleman of ability and experience, whom I now have the 

 pleasure of introducing to you. 



Mr. Walker preceded the reading of his paper with the 

 following words : Some years ago, before the war, Mr. 

 Theodore D. Parker of Boston, a merchant sailing vessels 

 down into South America, had occasion to go down South. 

 The atmosphere down there was decidedly pro-slavery, and 

 it was decidedly anti-slavery up here. It was not particu- 

 larly pleasant travelling down there. He went out on the 

 Mississippi River and" went down three or four days on a 

 steamboat, and had for a companion in his state-room a 

 Mississippi planter. They had a very agreeable time all the 

 way down the river, and took great comfort together. 

 When the boat drew up at Natchez the planter said, " Here 

 I land. INIy plantation is about a dozen miles out from here, 

 and I would be glad to have you come and see me," and 

 handed him his card. Thereupon Mr. Parker returned the 

 compliment. It seems they had been together two or three 

 days without inquiring each other's name. The planter took 

 the card and read it, started back, drew a long breath, and 

 said, "Is it possible that I have been three days on the great 

 father of waters in company with that pestilent abolitionist, 

 Theodore Parker of Boston?" "Oh, no, sir. My dear 

 friend, you make a mistake. If you will read my card care- 

 fully you will see that my name is Theodore D. Parker." 

 "Ah! I beg your pardon, sir. I hope you will excuse 

 me, — Theodore D. Parker. Now, as a friend, will 3^ou 

 allow me to give you a little advice ? You are travelling 

 in the South, and as you will register, probably, at the 

 hotels, you be very careful to write that ' D' in your name 

 almighty large." [Laughter.] Now, there are four points 

 in my paper of special importance, and I want them written 



