No. 4.] AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION. 355 



The commissioners close their report by oflering their 

 recommendations on the following conditions : — 



1. To carry out the foregoing views, the commissioners 

 recommend the appropriation hy the Legislature of twenty 

 thousand dollars, for the purpose of establishing a Central 

 Agricultural College, with a Model and Experimental Farm; 

 said institution to be open to all classes of the Commonwealth, 

 and in the government of which the State shall be interested 

 so far as may be deemed expedient ; provided, however, that 

 this sum shall not be drawn for until an equal amount shall 

 have been raised by private donation or legacy, and deposited 

 in the treasury of the Commonwealth, to constitute a common 

 fund for this object. 



2. Whenever any incorporated Academy, not exceeding one 

 such institution in each county, shall raise a fund of two thou- 

 sand dollars or more, towards establishing and supporting a 

 department of agricultural instruction, with lands suitable for 

 experiments, it shall be entitled to draw from the treasury of 

 the Commonwealth, the sum of two hundred dollars annually; 

 provided, however, that whenever the number of scholars re- 

 ceiving instruction in agriculture shall be less than ten, the aid 

 of the State shall be withheld.^ 



The third recommendation provided for the establishment 

 of a State Department of Agriculture, to consist of a board 

 of commissioners and a secretary. This board was to have 

 power to organize and put in operation the college contem- 

 plated by the foregoing recommendations. 



The fourth reconmiendation provided for increase of State 

 aid to agricultural societies. 



5. That a premium, of such amount as the Legislature may 

 deem judicious, be offered for the best Elementary Treatise on 

 Agriculture, suitable for common schools ; said premium to be 

 awarded by the Board of Agriculture, if such be created, or, if 

 not, by a committee to be appointed by the Governor and 

 council. 



The sixth recommendation provided for forming a fund, 

 the income of which was to be used, at the discretion of the 



1 House, No. 13, January, 1851, p. 103. 



