MASS. BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 405 



Afternoon Session. 



The convention assembled in the Representatives' Hall, at 3 

 o'clock. The attendance was quite large, and among those 

 present were many of the leading agriculturists of the Com- 

 monwealth. 



Mr. Sewall, of Medfield, from the Business Committee, re- 

 ported for the deliberation of the convention the following pre- 

 amble and resolutions : — 



Whereas, Agriculture, the parent of the arts, is essential to the subsistence 

 and preservation of the human race, and embraces in itself the elements of 

 national wealth and power, — therefore, be it 



Resolved, 1. That the encouragement and advancement of agriculture, 

 should be with us, as it has been with other civilized nations, a leading object 

 of public regard, to be cherished by a generous public sentiment, and liberally 

 sustained by the resources of the Commonwealth. 



Resolved, 2. That it is expedient to establish a Central Board of Agriculture, 

 to be composed of delegates from the various incorporated agricultural socie- 

 ties of the Commonwealth, whose duty it shall be to meet semiannually, or 

 oflener, if it shall be deemed expedient, and to recommend to the several socie- 

 ties uniform rules of action, and to take into consideration all subjects pertain- 

 ing to the interests of agriculture. 



Resolved, 3. That, whether acting as individuals, or as representatives, the 

 citizens of the Commonwealth are bound to encourage the application of sci- 

 ence to all those branches of industry which minister to human comfort and 

 happiness, and thereby to the wealth and prosperity of the State. 



Resolved, 4. That agricultural schools having been found, by the expe- 

 rience of other nations, efficient means in promoting the cause of agricultural 

 education, which is so essential to the prosperity of farmers and to the wel- 

 fare of communities, it becomes at once the duty and policy of the Common- 

 wealth to establish and maintain such institutions for the benefit of all its 

 inhabitants. 



Resolved, 5. That the several plans for an agricultural school, recently 

 reported by the board of commissioners appointed for that purpose, are worthy 

 the profound consideration of the people of Massachusetts, and their repre- 

 sentatives in the General Court, as indicating the feasibility and practicability 

 of an establishment worthy that exalted character which the State has secured 

 by the endowment of kindred institutions, designed, like these, for the diffusion 

 of useful knowledge among the people. 



Resolved, 6. That inasmuch as agriculture is the chief occupation of her 

 citizens, the Commonwealth, in the organization of its government, should be 

 provided with a department of agriculture, with offices and honors commen- 

 surate with the importance of the duties to be discharged, of the abilities to be 

 required, and of the labors to be performed. 



