No. 4.] AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION. 359 



stitutions for the scientific education of the farmer, upon whom 

 is levied so large a share of the taxes for the support of govern- 

 mental and philanthropic objects.^ 



An animated and interesting discussion took place upon 

 these resolves, and their consideration was continued to an 

 adjourned meeting held at the State House, February 3.'^ 

 At the afternoon and evening sessions the resolutions 

 were further discussed, when Lieutenant-Governor Cushman 

 offered the following resolution, which, after some discussion, 

 was followed by the adoption of the resolutions : — 



Resolved, That the resolutions now under consideration be 

 adopted, and that the executive committee be directed to pre- 

 sent the same to the Legislature, and to urge such action by 

 that body as may be tliought most expedient to carry into prac- 

 tice the principles contained in said resolutions. 



In pursuance of the resolution adopted by the Board, a 

 memorial, with the resolves on agricultural education, was 

 presented to the Legislature. This memorial closes with 

 the following : — 



Your memorialists do not feel it necessary, on this occa- 

 sion, to dwell at length on the details of such an institution 

 for agricultural education as it may be proper to establish. 

 These details may be properly left to the wisdom and dis- 

 cretion of those who may compose the board of agriculture, 

 sliould the Legislature think it expedient to establish such, 

 a board. The most important point is to lay the founda- 

 tion, and to leave the development to time and experience. It 

 may only be observed that provision for instruction by lectures, 

 and the use of the best text books on the one hand, and for 

 practice in an experimental farm on the other, seem to be the 

 two great features of an institution for agricultural education.^ 



This memorial was signed by Marshall P. Wilder, presi- 

 dent ; Henry W. Cushman and John W. Lincoln, vice- 

 presidents ; Edward Everett, John W. Proctor, J. H. W. 

 Page, Wm. C. Fowler, Benj. V. French, executive com- 



' Agriculture of Massachusetts, 1851, pp. 439-441. ^ Ibid., pp. 489-492. 

 2 Ibid., p. 477. 



