12 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



1818, and continuing with unabated vigor, while its children 

 have grown to full estate around it. 



To all these associations of the past that cluster around this 

 ancient town, and to all its present progress and culture, we 

 welcome you. We welcome you to what such influences can 

 do in stimulating and instructing you, — we welcome you for 

 what you can do for this society and community, in arousing 

 or intensifying an interest in all that relates to the cultivation 

 of the soil, in all that beautifies this valley — beautiful in itself, 

 indeed, as it was left when the waters had smoothed its glacier- 

 torn rocks — and on all that lies !it the foundation of our happy 

 home life and our national wealth. 



But why do I, a comparative stranger, stand here to speak 

 these words, when there are those around me, whose ancestors' 

 names can be found among those who saw the Indians yield 

 these acres to the Avhite man's power? First of all, I stand here 

 by their invitation to speak in their name ; and this honor hits 

 been granted me because I represent here to-day, that institu- 

 tion which is the fruit of seed planted in this soil long years ago 

 — seed that has been cared for and nurtured by the men who 

 have been connected with this Board of Agriculture. 



The Massachusetts Agricultural College is the outcome and 

 fruitage of the work that has been done by all these agencies. 

 In them it has its roots — to it they must look for the richest and 

 most abundant fruit they can yield. On my own ground, then, 

 I welcome you all as friends and promoters of the Agricultural 

 College, and ask your attention for the remaining time allotted 

 me to the consideration of that institution. What is the true 

 idea of the Agricultural College ? What its work ? What is 

 it now able to accomplish? What must be done for it and 

 xoilli it, that it may accomplish the w^ork for which it was 

 founded ? 



The grant of land and land-scrip for founding agricultural 

 colleges was made by the general government in 1862. The 

 civil war had brought out with great clearness the elements of 

 national strength, — varied production in agriculture and the 

 mechanic arts, and a citizen soldiery well trained in the art of 

 war. To secure all these in their greatest perfection was the 

 aim of the bill for establishing "Industrial Colleges" in the 

 various loyal States. Whatever mistakes may have been made 



