1858.] SENATE— No. 4. 9 



cultural Society, and, if deemed proper ])y them, to report a 

 plan of organization for such society. 



Mr. Proctor, of Danvers, thought that before the resolution 

 passed, it would be necessary to consider whether such an asso- 

 ciation was expedient. There was already a State association, 

 which was productive of much good, and one which would only 

 require a hint to do whatever was proper for the interests of 

 agriculture, Avithout tliere being occasion to establish a new 

 society. For his part, Mr. Proctor was of opinion that there 

 was no requirement for the projected organization, so long as 

 there was one which was capable of doing all that would be 

 really necessary. 



Hon. Marshall P. Wilder expressed his gratification in doing 

 whatever was demanded, and within his power, at all times for 

 the benefit of agriculture. He was especially gratified to see 

 that the western portion of the State had arisen in advocacy of 

 that good work. He did not wish to olTer any motion, but would 

 simply suggest that the proposed committee should consist of 

 members of each agricultural society here represented, when 

 the expediency of the project would be considered in connection 

 with the interests of the county societies, which was an impor- 

 tant matter of consideration. The mover of the resolution 

 given above accepted the suggestion, and it was incorporated in 

 the resolution. 



Hon. Simon Brown thought that the whole matter could be 

 better considered in committee of the whole, and he moved that 

 the resolution be laid on the table, and the expediency of the 

 estabUshment of a new society discussed. The meeting assented. 



The discussion of the general subject was then taken up, 

 Mr. Proctor desiring in the first place to hear what reasons sub- 

 sisted for the establishment of the proposed society. Perhaps, 

 he said, on hearing them, he might have occasion to change his 

 mind as to the utility of its organization. 



Mr. Lewis, of Framingham, said he was a member of the old 

 chrysalis society, and of the Board of Agriculture. He found 

 great ignorance among the people concerning the State Agri- 

 cultural Society ; many knew nothing about it. It had a 

 respectable existence, he believed, in State Street, and was likely 

 to be a money-making concern. The State paid it $600 per 

 annum, and some said it was spent in good dinners ; and he was 

 glad that the western people came here and demanded to know 

 what was really done with the money. The result of this 

 meeting would probably be to bring out the State society to the 

 doing of some good, as it ought to do ; and it would not be a bad 

 thing that the incorporation of some Young American blood 

 should speedily take place among the old-fogy, aristocratic, but 

 respectable members of the society. 



Mr. Marston, of Barnstable, was of opinion that no overpow- 



2* 



