348 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



B. V. French, Edgar K. Whitaker, Edvv. L. Keyes, a com- 

 mittee on behalf of the society ; petition of the Hampden 

 Agricultm'al Society, by Josiali Hooker and ninety-five 

 others ; petition of the Middlesex Society of Husbandmen and 

 Manufacturers, by Jos. T. Buckingham, president, E. Rock- 

 wood Hoar, vice-president, and twenty others ; petition of 

 the Worcester County Agricultural Society , by Levi Lin- 

 coln, president; and memorial of the trustees of the Essex 

 Agricultural Society, by John W. Proctor, Allen W. Dodge 

 and sixteen others. 



On January 31 the joint standing committee on agricul- 

 ture presented a full report signed by Jos. T. Buckingham, 

 chairman, closing with these words : — 



But concurring in the views so clearly expressed in the 

 several documents referred to their consideration, and adopt- 

 ing, as their own, the arguments therein presented, and by 

 gentlemen of intelligence and patriotism, with whom they have 

 consulted, the committee recommend the adoption of the ac- 

 companying resolves.^ 



Then follow five ' ' Resolves concerning the Establish- 

 ment of an Agricultural School." These resolves passed 

 their several stages, and were approved by Governor Briggs 

 on May 3, 1850. They mark an epoch in the history of 

 agricultural education in Massachusetts, and are so impor- 

 tant that they are quoted in full : ^ — 



Besolved, That his excellency the governor, with the advice 

 of the council, be requested and empowered to appoint a board 

 of five commissioners, who shall consider the expediency of 

 establishing agricultural schools or colleges, and also of fur- 

 nishing aid to any existing academy or college, for the instruc- 

 tion of such pupils as may wish to attend such an institution, 

 in all those branches of agricultural knowledge necessary for 

 the advancement of the interests of agriculture in this State, 



Besolved, That the said commissioners, if, in their opinion 

 it is expedient to establish such agricultural school or college, 

 shall be directed to procure plans and estimates for the build- 

 ings necessary for such an institution, and to propose and 



^ Senate, No. 20, January, 1850. Also, see Senate, No. 25, and House, No. 88, 

 1850. 



' Resolves of 1850, chapter 10;>. 



