tl). 



THE GEKESEE FAEMEE. 



merce, of manufactures, and of industrial pursuits. We are an agricultural people ; our bulnts, our 

 dispositions, are rural. I rejoice that it is so, and I jiray that it may ever continue to be s^o. Our 

 country embraces every variety of soil, and is capable of producing most of the products oi the torrid 

 and temperate zones; and with a suitable application of science to this art, and a wise di\'ision of 

 labor, with pro|>er Governmental aid, there is no reason why American agriciJture may not sustain 

 competition with that of any other nation of the civilized globe. 



The progress of agriculture, as you all know, gentlemen, hiis been slow in the United States; but 

 a new era has now commenced. The old worn out systems of cultivation which have been followed 

 b}' father and son, and from generation to generation, are now to be swept away, and science is to 

 take its place in aid of honest industry. I rejoice, gentlemen, that we live at this day; I rejoice that 

 the seed planted by the immortal Washington', and wliicli has been watered by tliousands of otlier 

 eminent agriculturists, is now taking root, and that we live in our day to realize some of the proud 

 results of their liopes. 



Much of the progress which has been attained in our country is the result of individual enterprise, 

 aided by the agi-icultural press; but the great motive power is confedei'ated action — is associated 

 effort. Gentlemen, we have met on this occasion to avail oui-selves of this powerful impetus. At no 

 period in the history of our country has there been such an assembly collected for the purpose of 

 considering those objects for which we are brought together, and there has been no opportunity 

 which is so favorable to the interests of the farmer. 



Permit me again, gentlemen, to tender you my thanks for the distinction you have conferred upon 

 me, and to say that in the coiu'se of our deliberations I may, with your permission, participate in 

 your debates. [Applause.] 



A committee composed of one fi'om each State was appointed to draft a Constitution 

 for a National Society, and prejiare other business for the Convention. The following 

 is a copy of the Constitution as reported by the business committee, which, with a few 

 mere verbal amendments, is now the Constitution of the Society : 



The undersigned, in order to improve the agriculture of the country, by attracting the attention, 

 eliciting the views, and combining the efforts of that great class composing the agricultural commu- 

 nity, and to secure the advantages of a better organization, and more extended usefulness among all 

 State, County, and other agricultural societies, do hereby form oui-selves into a society, and, for its 

 government, adopt the following 



CONSTITUTION. 



Sec. 1. The name of this association shall be Tlie United States Agricultural Society. 



Sec. 2. Members — Dues. — The Society shall consist of all such persons as shall signify to any offi- 

 cer of the Society a wish to become a member, and who shall pay two dollars to the Treasurer of the 

 Society, and a like sum annually hereafter ; of delegates from the State agricultural societies in Mie 

 States and Territories and District of Columbia, who may be appointed to attend the annual and 

 other meetings of the Society, and who shall pay the like sum ; and also of such honorary membei-s 

 as the Society may see fit to elect. Each member shall be entitled to receive a journal or publication 

 of said Society, containing an account of its proceedings and such additional matter as shall be deemed 

 worthy of publication, free from any expense except postage. Twenty-five dollars shall entitle one 

 to the privileges of life membership, and exempt him from any annual taxation. 



Sec. 3. Officers. — The officers of this Society shall be a President, a Vice President from each 

 State and Territory in the Union and from the District of Columbia, a Treasurer, a C orresponding 

 Secretary, a Recording Secretary, and a Board of Agriculture, to consist of three members from each 

 State, Territory, and the District of Columbia, to be appointed by the Executive Committees of the 

 Societies of such States, Territories, <fec., and where there are no such State Societies, to be appointed 

 by the Executive Committee of this Society. The President of the Society shall be, ex officio, a 

 member and President of this Board and of the Executive Committee. 



Duties of Officers. — The President shall have a general superintendence of all the affairs of the 

 Society. In case of his death or inability to discharge the functions of tliis office, the Board of Agri- 

 culture shall select a Vice President to act in his stead, and clothed with the same power, and shall 

 perform the same duties as the President until the next annual election. 



Vice Presidents. — It shall be their duty to advance all the objects of the association, in their sevcnil 

 districts ; to explain to agriculturists the character and objects of this association, and endeavor to 

 obtain their co-operation and support ; to watch the advance of practical agriculture, and to make 

 known the results of the same, by report or otherwise, from year to yeai\ 



Board of Agriculture. — It shall be the duty of this Board to watch the interests of agriculture, as 

 tlu'V are or may be affected by the legislation of tlie country, and to make such reports, menioi-ials, 

 and recommendations as may advance the cause of agriculture, and promote and diffuse agricul- 

 tural knowledge; to examine, and when necessary, report upon the practicability of establishing 

 agricultural schools, colleges, and model farms; to set forth the advantages of agricultural and geo- 

 logical surveys, and show the importance of the application of science to agriculture; to represent 

 through their reports the relation of our agriculture to that of foreign countries, and to endeavor to 





