xxvi Outlines of a Plan^ for establishing' 



the people and assist good government, which is never in 

 danger while a free people are well infovmed. 



5. The general meetings of this society, consisting of such 

 members as may choose to attend, and particularly those charg- 

 ed with communications or information from the county and 

 other societies, should be held at Philadelphia, at a time, in 

 the winter sessions of the legislature, when citizens who may 

 be members thereof, or have other business, can with most 

 convenience attend. At these meetings, the general busi- 

 ness of the society can be arranged, its funds and transac- 

 tions examined, and its laws and rules reported, discussed 

 and rendered generally serviceable and agreeable to the 

 whole. 



6. It will be necessary that a contribution be made by each 

 member, annually, for a fund. But this should be small, 

 that it may not be too heavy a tax. The funds will, no 

 doubt, be increased by donations from individuals; and if 

 the state should find the institution as useful as it is con- 

 templated to be, the patriotism of the members of the go- 

 vernment will be exercised, by affording assistance out of 

 the monies of the state. They will perceive that it is vain 

 •to give facility to transportation, unless the products of the 

 country are increased by good husbandry : And though these 

 facilities are important to the objects of this society, yet an 

 increased knowledge of agriculture is the foundation of their 

 extensive utility. The subjects of both are intimately con- 

 nected, and mutually depend on each other. 



r. When the funds of the society increase sufficiently to 

 embrace the object, it will perfect all its efforts by establish- 

 ing Pattern Farms ^ in different and convenient parts of the 

 state. Let the beginning of this plan be with one establish- 

 ment, under the direction of the society, and committed to 

 the care of a complete farmer and gardener. In this, all fo- 

 reign and domestic trees, shrubs, plants, seeds or grains may 

 be cultivated, and if approved as useful, disseminated, with 

 directions for their culture, through the state. The most ap- 



