46 QUARTERLY JOURNAL. 



fifth of the sum in the hands of government to this object, the in- 

 terests of agriculture throughout the entire Union might be vastly 

 benefited ; the erection of the institution near the seat of govern- 

 ment would greatly help to diffuse its blessings far and near. 



As we have already intimated, we would not wish the Smithso- 

 nian college to be a mere agricultural school ; there are other equally 

 important branches of knowledge, which should not and need not 

 be overlooked ; but we regard this subject as one which eminently 

 deserves the early and earnest attention of the friends of agriculture 

 in all the states. It is high time that the money be used for the 

 noble purposes for which it was given. 



2. We believe that a better use might be made of the sum 

 which has been placed by the legislature of our own state at the 

 disposal of the State Agricultural Society. The existing law will 

 soon expire by its own limitation, and in any future act, we deem 

 it of great importance that those who may have the management of 

 the fund, should be directed to reduce the number and increase 

 the amount of their premiums. In this way, we believe that much 

 good will be done, and at least expense to the state ; so far, at least, 

 as respects experimental agriculture, if we may be allowed to coin 

 a phrase. Many a farmer might be tempted to undertake the 

 raising of some new production by the offer of a premium of one 

 hundred or five hundred dollars, who would not venture on the 

 experiment for five or twenty dollars. Take, for example, the arti- 

 cle of hemp ; the question whether it can be profitably cultivated in 

 our state, might by the offer of a high premium be settled in a 

 single year, or in two years at most. 



3. The establishment of a permanent department or a Board of 

 Agriculture, is a subject well worthy of serious consideration. 

 The fact that the state society has for some years been employed 

 as the agent of the state, seems to us to be a virtual acknowledge- 

 ment of the want of some such department of government. Why 

 then, shall we not have one responsible like all the other branches 

 of the government to the legislature and the people 1 The interest 

 to be watched over is a commanding one ; it, more than any other, 

 affects the general welfare. It deserves a department, and we 

 fondly hope that the day is not far distant when we shall have 

 one. 



4. The promotion of agricultural science is another duty which 



