u 



trate our efforts by a Central Board, and spread our information througl 

 community. 



We now have local Boards of Agriculture. Our CdVinty Societiei 

 local Boards. Did our organization stop here, I should, with all my hi 

 though I do not now oppose the resolution, I should, with all my hi 

 go for the resolution. But we have some County Societies ; and we I 

 a perfect establishment for the whole Commonwealth. We have 

 County Societies and the State Society. It seems to me that this e* 

 lishment would be superseding the State Society, would be reflecting i 

 those good and zealous men who constitute its Board of Trustees, ai 

 would suggest whether having County Societies and a State Society, 

 latter having a general superintendence, it would not be better and mor< 

 spectful to them to pass a resolution requesting them to discharge the 

 duties here referred to a Board. And they are anxious to do them. T 

 zeal is ample. Their funds are ample^ I have no doubt but that they 

 perform all the duties to be accomplished by a Central Board. I think 

 the State Society is a Central Board. I would suggest whether a res 

 tion requesting the State Society to take the matter of acting in this c 

 into consideration, would not be more respectful. 



REMARKS OF THE HON. EDGAR K. WH1TAKER. 



MR. PRESIDENT 



The suggestion of the gentleman who has just taken his seat, se 

 to be an important one. But I do not know as I should fall into it 

 mediately, for a reason which I will give. To my mind there is sc 

 thing exceedingly gratifying in the occasion which has collected toge 

 this meeting. If I mistake not, I see gentlemen here, delegates from all 

 Agricultural Societies of the State, who have come for the purpose of 

 ing if we cannot get up a new interest in the cause of agriculture, 

 seems to me, in correspondence with this movement, if we are to carry 

 what these friends have come here to do, if we are to carry it ou 

 earnest, that we would better concentrate what of effort we desire from 

 men who have come here rather than from the old State Society. No 

 can entertain a higher respect than I do for the men connected with 

 old State Institution. But as no one can mistake from the expressioi 

 interest upon the face of every man in this hall, those who have come r 

 have come with the idea of creating some new interest, some new me 

 ment somewhat different from what has characterized the different Socie 

 which have been organized in years past. 



The gentlemen who have addressed the Convention upon the resolul 

 which is now before it, have very properly explained what is the ob t 

 of this resolution. But they have not said what I think may very welJ 

 said, and with saying that, I shall take my seat. It seems to me t 

 what is proposed to be carried out in this resolution is very fully exem 

 tied in what we see here to-day ; and that is, the gratifying eircumstar 



