350 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



them with Professor Stockbridge cutting and stacking com. 

 There were boys there that looked as though they might have 

 been trained to the business, while others, more delicate, 

 appeared to be taking their first lesson, looking as if the rows 

 were interminable ; but all had to take a hand. I have no 

 doubt these boys will, by this experience and training, be the 

 better fitted to stem the adverse currents which all must 

 encounter in life's struggle, and which will swamp and carry 

 down stream many, unless such training and experience shall 

 have taught them in boyhood to buffet manfully every counter- 

 current they may meet in after-life. 



The college has secured the confidence of the general 

 government, the state government, men distinguished in the 

 various departments of science and literature, and scientific 

 agriculturists, while the farmers of moderate means and 

 restricted information, the very men and class for whom the 

 college was especially founded, and who should reap from its 

 organization the largest benefit, hesitate, doubt and hold back. 

 The college needs the confidence of this class, because she needs 

 the boys to educate, but she does not need them half so much 

 as these men and these boys need the knowledge the college can 

 impart, and the learning she can difi*u8e by educating these young 

 men in the science of agriculture, thereby reciprocally benefit- 

 ing the individual, the community and the Commonwealth. 



If these men could see the students at their work and 

 studies, inspired by the zeal and energy of the professors ; if 

 they could know the results flowing from the experiments made 

 by Professors Stockbridge, Goessmann, Cressy and Clark ; 

 if they could have heard the compliment paid the college by 

 him who so tenderly loved this institution in common with 

 every other that tends to benefit man, who in his last public 

 effort spoke so exultingly in her praise, and who now sees 

 the wonders of creation eye to eye, and the perfections of the 

 Creator face to face, they would realize what was being done 

 for this class by the college, and cheerfully give it their 

 hearty sympathy and cooperation. 



Horace P. Wakfield. 



Mr. Slade was appointed Committee on Credentials of New 

 Members. 



