368 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



At a meeting of the Board, on Feb. 27, 1863, Colonel 

 Wilder made a statement of the doings of the above com- 

 mittee. After some discussion. Dr. George B. Loring pre- 

 sented the following resolutions, which were unanimously 

 adopted : — 



Resolved, That in the opinion of the State Board of Agri- 

 culture, the grant of land made by Congress to the several 

 States, for the establishment of colleges for instruction in agri- 

 culture and the mechanic arts, is designed expressly for the 

 general diffusion of useful knowledge in these two branches 

 among the people. 



Resolved, That the Legislature is hereby respectfully re- 

 quested to make such disposition of the grant, as will enable 

 the Board of Agriculture, as immediately representing the 

 farming interests of the Commonwealth, to enlarge its sphere 

 of usefulness by exercising a supervision over the employment 

 of the funds arising from the grant, for the purpose of securing 

 the confidence of the agricultural community, and of conduct- 

 ing such a scheme as will operate for the benefit of those engaged 

 in this business. 



Resolved, That in the opinion of this Board, the interests 

 of the State and intentions of Congress require that the grant 

 should be principally devoted to the establishment of an edu- 

 cational institution for the practical and scientific study of 

 agriculture, and for the instruction of youths who intend to fol- 

 low industrial pursuits, and that the institution should not 

 be immediately connected with any institution established for 

 other purpoF;8s. 



Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed to present 

 these resolutions to the committee of the Legislature having 

 the subject under consideration, and to express the views of 

 this Board upon the proper disposition of the Congressional 

 grant. 



The committee provided for in the last resolve was consti- 

 tuted by the appointment of Messrs. Marshall P. Wilder, 

 Paoli Lathrop, George B. Loring, S. B. Phinney, John 

 Brooks, Henry Colt and Charles G. Davis. 



The congressional grant referred to was provided for by 

 "An Act donating Public Lands to the Several States and 

 Territories, which may provide Colleges for the Benefit of 



