136 



I^EVV ENGLAND FARMER. 



Mar cu 



public grounds sun-ounding these premises, and who 

 did so much to elevate the standard and improve 

 taste in the rural arts, conveniences and refinements 

 of life, was numbered with the victims by that aw- 

 ful disaster upon the waters of the Hudson, on the 

 28th of last July, which agonized the hearts of so 

 many American citizens. 



The cause of scientific Agriculture in this country, 

 has sustained a great loss by the death of one of its 

 most distinguished and promising professors — a 

 gentlemen, who, though young, had already made 

 many valuable contributions to Agricultural litera- 

 ture, who had no superior of equal age, and from 

 whose future labors much was anticipated. Down- 

 ing and Norton ai'e no more — both cut down in the 

 midst of life and usefulness. 



One of the distinguished representatives of the Es- 

 sex Society of Massachusetts, the Hon. Judge Mack, 

 of Salem, who was present and participated in the 

 organization of this Society, a rnost worthy gentle- 

 man, and who filled with honor and integrity various 

 stations in life, has also gone to his rest. 



The 'Marshfield Farmer' is also numbered with 

 the mighty dead. He was a farmer, — the son of a 

 farmer, and the noblest production of American soil ! 

 His majestic form, his mountain brow and expressive 

 countenance, his deep, yet melodious voice, his whole 

 person eloquent in every step and act, are bright 

 Yisions on which we delight to dwell. 



AVe fondly cherish the remembrance of him as he 

 appeared in this assembly at the organization of our 

 Society, and in the cordial manner in which he salu- 

 ted the worthy representative of the immortal Wash- 

 ington, the 'Farmer of Arlington.' We love to 

 think of his subsequent reception of us at his hospit- 

 able mansion in this city, and of the close of his elo- 

 quent address, and especially of his friendly benedic- 

 tion : 'Brother farmers — I shall remember you, and 

 the occasion which has called us together. I invoke 

 for you a safe return to your homes. I invoke for 

 you an abundant harvest; and if we meet not again 

 in time, I trust that hereafter Ave shall meet in a 

 more genial clime, and under a kindlier sun.' 



Gentlemen — Cheering prospects are before us. I 

 dwell with pleasure on the bright future. I seem 

 to see this Association enrolling among its members 

 thousands of our intelligent yeomanry, and whether 

 from the North or the South, the East or the West, 

 all banded and leagued together as brethren by a 

 common interest ; a State Society auxiliary to this 

 in every Commonwealth, — County Societies, Far- 

 mers' Clubs, Agricultural Schools and Colleges, 

 each drawing from its own peculiar section and re- 

 sources the means of information and improvement, 

 and all with united purpose and harmonious action, 

 both disseminating and receiving aid from one 

 another, and thus illustrating the power of voluntary 

 associations under the fostering care of goverment, 

 and tending to make ourselves and our beloved na- 

 tion the most intelligent, enterprising, yirtuous, 

 happy and powerful people on the earth." 



On motion of Nath. P. Causin, Esq., of the 

 District of Columbia, it was 



Resolved, That 5000 copies of the President's an- 

 nual address be printed for distribution, first to 

 members of the Society and then to such other per- 

 sons as the Executive Committee may approve. 



Gen. Rusk, of Texas, in seconding Mr. Causin's 

 motion, spoke handsomely of the address, and 

 thought that its circulation would do much good, 

 and materially tend to further the objects of the 

 association. 



J. D. Weston, Esq., of Wisconsin, moved the 

 oUowing resolution, which was agreed to 



Reaolved, That so much of the President's address 

 as refers to the co-operation of this Society Avith the 

 General Goverment in the diffusion of agricultural 

 knowledge, the distribution of seeds, plants, &c.,be 

 referred to a committee of three, with authority to 

 report to the Executive Committee of the Society at 

 such times as may suit their convenience. 



The committee finally appointed by the Chair 

 under this resolution consists of Messrs. King, of 

 New Yoi'k, Browx, of Mass. , and Medary, of Ohio 

 — the mover having at his own request been ex- 

 cused from serving. The Society generally seemed to 

 think Gen. Rusk eminently fitted to occupy a place 

 on this committee ; and appeared desirous that he 

 would accept one. 



In reply to numerous expressions of this cliarac- 

 ter, Gen. Rusk acknowledged the compUment in- 

 tended him, but thought, as a member of Congress, 

 he ought not to bo on the committee. He hoped 

 to serve the Society in Congress in liis legislative 

 capacity, but if he accepted this place on the com- 

 mittee, it might be said to him in Congress that 

 he was but fighting for his own bantling. The 

 following resolution, by Mr. Kixg, of New York, 

 from the committee to which was referred the 

 recommendation of the President's address as to 

 funds, &c., was adopted: 



Resolved, That the Executive Committee be re- 

 quested to make immediate application to Congress 

 for that portion of the money now annually appro- 

 priated to the Patent Office for the preparation of the 

 Agriculturrl Report and the collection and distribu- 

 tion of seeds, with the veiw to the performance of 

 the same work by the United States Agricultural 

 Society. 



On motion of Dr. Elwtn, of Penn., it was voted 

 that a number of copies of the President's address, 

 when printed, should be placed at the disposal of 

 the Smithsonian Institution for distribution. 



The same gentleman moved for a committee of 

 one from each State to nominate a list of officers 

 for- the current year, which motion was adopted. 



A motion of Mr. Smith, of the Dis. Col., for the 

 Society to hold an exhibition in connection with 

 the Metropolitan Association, was referred to the 

 Executive Committee, as also the subject of the 

 connection of the Society with the Smithsonian In- 

 stitution, respecting accommodations, and the sub- 

 ject touching a Permanent Secretary. That con- 

 cerning agencies received the same disposition. 



Upon the question of joining the Crystal Palace 

 Association in their intended exhibition at New 

 York, an animated discussion arose. The gentle- 

 men who took part in this discussion were Messrs. 

 Roberts, of Pa., King, of N. Y., and King, of 

 R. I., Calvert, of Md., Brooks, Brown, Poore, 

 French and Reed, of Mass., McAllister, A. B. Da- 

 vies, Landry, Watterston, Dis. Col., Mapes, Judge 

 Chatfield, of Wis., and Medary, of Ohio. 



The discussion was finally closed by the adoption 



of the following resolution of Mr. Brown, of Mass. 



Resolved, That this Society do not consider it ex- 

 pedient, in its infancy, to enter into an arrangement 



