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Oil the 7th December, 1796, Washington in his Annual Message, 

 at the Second Session of the Fourth Congress, read these words : 



" It will not be doubted that with reference either to individual or 

 national welfare, agriculture is of primary importance. In proportion 

 as nations advance in population, and other circumstances of maturity, 

 this truth becomes more apparent, and renders the cultivation of the 

 soil more and more an object of public patronage. Institutions for 

 promoting it grow up supported by the public purse ; and to what 

 object can it be dedicated with greater propriety. Among the means 

 which have been employed to this end, none have been attended with 

 greater success than the establishment of Boards, composed of pub- 

 lic characters, charged with collecting and diffusing information, and 

 enabled by premiums, and small pecuniary aid, to encourage and 

 assist a spirit of discovery and improvement. This species of estab- 

 lishment contributes doubly to the increase of improvements, by stim- 

 ulating to enterprise and experiment, and by drawing to a common 

 centre the results everywhere of individual skill and observation, and 

 spreading them- thence over the whole nation. Experience accord- 

 ingly has shown that they are very cheap instruments of immense 

 national importance. 



I have heretofore proposed to the consideration of Congress the 

 expediency of establishing a National University, and also a Military 

 Academy." 



The propositions for a National University and a National Board 

 of Agriculture, were referred to a Committee, and no report so far 

 as I can learn was ever made upon the subject. The Military Acad- 

 emy became an Institution. Life was given to that which teaches 

 men to kill their fellow men, but no encouragement to that science 

 by which all men live. Here again is presented a striking contrast 

 in our history. In 18 17, to the honor of Massachusetts be it stated, the 

 Berkshire Agricultural Society, under the lead of Elkanah Watson, pre- 

 sented a memorial to Congress in favor of a National Board of Agri- 

 culture, by the Hon. John M. Hurlbut, their representative. Mr. 

 Hurlbut was Chairman of a Select Committee on the subject, and 

 reported in its favor; but although sustained by others with ability, 

 the project was defeated by an overwhelming vote, owing to the 

 constitutional scruples of some, views of expediency by others, and 

 entire indifference and want of appreciation of the magnitude and 

 importance of the world's most vital interest. Mr. Hurlbut stated 

 that he was met with sneers and ridicule, particularly from Southern 



