CLOSING SCENES. 285 



such as to make a permanent impression, from which we shall 

 derive benefit in the future. I doubt not that we all take an 

 interest in everything that will benefit the material interests of 

 the country, but I am sure we would not exchange this small, 

 but glorious old State in which we live, notwithstanding its 

 cold climate and the hardness of its soil, for that great State on 

 the Pacific, with its strange and almost fabulous resources of 

 which we have heard this evening. 



I again say, sir, in behalf of the citizens of Framingham, that 

 we are glad you came here, we are sorry that you leave us, and 

 hope that you will come back again. It is with regret that we 

 bid you farewell. 



Col. Wilder. I cannot allow the moments to pass without 

 recognizing the words that were uttered by Mr. Lewis, with 

 whom it has been my privilege, as a member of this Board of 

 Agriculture, to labor in this field. I thank him for the expres- 

 sion which he has given, as your representative, of his feelings. 

 I can only say, that I hope to live for years and to work with 

 you ; but if that tree should ever be planted over my head, I 

 hope it will bear better fruit than I have borne. 



The Chairman. As the temporary organ of the Board, I feel 

 it my duty, and something more than my duty, my most sincere 

 pleasure, to say something in response to all the kind expressioi s 

 which have been uttered this evening on the part of the citizens 

 of Framingham. 



The Board thank you, ladies and gentlemen, they thank you 

 from the bottom of their hearts, for the kindness with which they 

 have been received. And we feel and we express these thanks, 

 ladies and gentlemen, not alone for ourselves, but because we 

 think it indicates upon your part, and upon the part of this neigh- 

 borhood, some interest in the agricultural prosperity of this Com- 

 monwealth, and some interest in an appreciation of our labors 

 in its behalf. We are merely a board of citizens of the Com- 

 monwealth, acting officially, and prompted to our action by no 

 salary and by no responsibilities excepting those which we feel 

 that we bear in common with the other citizens of the Common- 

 wealth. We believe that as this State grows old, as the West 

 overpowers and overshadows us, politically and otherwise, that 

 as the State grows more and more like the old countries, the 

 interests of agriculture become more and more important to it. 



