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EVENING SESSION. 



The Convention was called to order at 7 o'clock, by the President, 

 seventh resolution having been taken up for consideration, the Chair ca 

 upon his Excellency, Governor Boutwell, who arose and addressed 

 Convention as follows : 



MR. CHAIRMAN 



I hope that the gentlemen of the Convention, from the call of their Pi 

 dent, will not infer that I am here prepared to give information upon 

 particular resolutions before this body or upon the subject of agricul 

 generally. It was only since 1 came into the hall, this evening, that I 

 pected to speak ; and only within the last five minutes, that I knew 

 resolution that was to come before you. 



This resolution has reference to what has been accomplished already 

 the Societies which exist in our State. They constitute a part of the 

 perfect system of agricultural education. There are various town Sc 

 ties, few in number at present, but efficient in their operation, wl 

 constitute another part of this system. And it would seem expedien 

 efforts are to be made to extend and elevate agricultural education, 

 those means which exist ought to be employed. 



The first question which a Convention of this character would natur 

 consider, is, whether there is a necessity for improvement in agricult 

 education? And, upon this point, I suppose there would not be m 

 difference of opinion ; for it cannot but be as true of agriculture, as of 

 department of industry, that it is to be advanced and perfected by the < 

 rations and labors of intelligent and scientific men. 



It cannot be denied, that while other departments of industry in 

 Commonwealth, and in this section of the country to a considerable ext 

 have had the benefit of scientific education and scientific improvement, a 

 culture, in this respect, has been almost entirely neglected. If, then, 

 conceded that there is a necessity for agricultural education, and for 

 provement in it, we are to inquire, Who are to be the teachers ? What 

 the means to be employed ? and, Who are the men or individuals in 

 community to be taught? 



It would seem proper that we should avail ourselves, so far as possi 

 of the means which exist. We should use what we possess, if it be 

 cient, rather than attempt to create more than is absolutely necessi 

 Now, if we have institutions that to any considerable extent can be m 

 available for these purposes, for the present, even though they shouh 

 inadequate for the future, I apprehend it would be regarded proper, or 

 hands, that we should use those institutions and those means. 



In some countries, science may be in the possession of a few individi 

 in the community, and may be used in such a way as to control and give 

 reetion to the manual labors of other men. But in this country scienc 



