168 [Assembly 



It is one of the objects of this convention lo seek out a way by 

 which the condition and character of the cuhivalors of the American 

 soil can be elevated and improved. For this purpose we recommend 

 the extensive formation of farmers' clubs, and largely increased read- 

 ing of agricultural papers and other valuable publications, which have 

 of late years been so extensively multiplied for the farmers' use. We 

 also recommend most earnestly to all our common as well as higher 

 schools, to adopt, as an unvarying branch of education, subjects cal- 

 culated to impress upon the minds of the young the necessity of ap- 

 plying science to the cultivation of the earth ; and that it is the original 

 and most honorable, as well as the most happy and healthy of all 

 employments. We also recommend that an earnest appeal be made 

 to Congress to adopt at once the recommendation of our Father, 

 Washington, and cstabhsh a " Home Department for the encourage- 

 ment and support of the agricultural interests of our country." In 

 aid of these views we offer the following resolutions : 



P.esolved, That the American Institute, by whose co-operation this 

 convention was called, be requested to continue their noble efforts in 

 the cause of agricultural improvement, by adopting measures to have 

 this matter brought before the next meeting of Congress. 



Resolved, That the members of this convention will look upon it as 

 an act of great respect to this body, if the American Institute will 

 again take it upon themselves to publish to the world the proceedings 

 and views of the convention. 



Resolved, That the alarming situation of a great part of the world 

 at this time, in consequence of the disease called the rot in potatoes, 

 requires the most active, prompt, and untiring exertions of all the 

 producers of this most important production, to subdue, if possible, 

 the frightful ravages of this disease ; and to prove, by successful ex- 

 periment, that the country which originally produced this invaluable 

 root, one of the most sustaining sources of subsistence to the popula- 

 tion of Europe, as well as our own country, can provide a remedy to 

 prevent its extinction. 



SOLON ROBINSON, 

 HENRY MEIGS, 

 C. C. HAVEN, 



Committee. 



