PROGRESSIVE AGRICULTURE. 229 



our fathers were permitted in peace to develop the resources 

 of the land. 



The South Carolina Agricultural Society and the Phila- 

 delphia Society for the Improvement of Agriculture were 

 established in 1784, and one of the same character had its 

 origin in New York in 1791. 



Our own Massachusetts Society for Promoting Agriculture , 

 whose worthy works for almost a century have done credit 

 to its name, and to which the lasting gratitude of all classes 

 in and beyond the old Bay State is due, was organized in 

 1792. 



The British Board of Agriculture dates from 1793, and 

 owes its existence mainly to the eiforts of Sir John Sinclair, 

 a Scotchman possessed of an estate of 100,000 acres, on 

 which he delighted to make improvements. Sinclair was the 

 first president of the board, and between him and our own 

 Washington there was carried on a correspondence showing 

 the interest taken by the father of his country in the most 

 vital industry of his race. 



The masses were not yet ready for agricultural publica- 

 tions, and it was a great misfortune that "book farming" 

 came to be synonymous with theory in contradiction to 

 practice. 



But progress was born, and her breath was in the air. 

 Gradually local societies were organized, holding their an 

 nual fairs and bringing together for comparison and informa- 

 tion the varied animal and vegetable products of the farm, 

 accompanied by inquiring ones, eager to receive and to give 

 instruction. And now we have in many, if not all, of our 

 States organizations like this one, at whose bidding we are 

 here to-day, seeking continually for new light and best 

 methods, and urging ever to greater achievements. 



The printed reports of these societies, including the state- 

 ments of those Avho have been successful in special depart- 

 ments and in the cultivation of particular crops, should 

 receive careful perusal as sources of great good. 



The first agricultural college in our land was opened to 

 students by the State government of Michigan in 1857, with 

 seven professors and a farm of 676 acres. An act of Con- 

 gress providing for similar institutions in all our States and 



