No. 216.] 17 



contemplated enlargement is completed, and he would hardly fail to 

 see something which would be useful to him, his neighborhood, or 

 perhaps his whole state. This magazine of improvements, brought 

 from all parts of our country, could never fail at any season to pre- 

 sent something that would be available to any visitor to our great 

 city. 



At the close of our fairs such a room might be filled at once, be- 

 cause it would be the interest of the inventor and fabricator to give 

 publicity to their products, whether remarkable for invention or 

 skilful workmanship. 



To complete the plan of the Institute, our establishment for teach- 

 ing, both practically and scientifically, by means of an agricultural 

 college or school, and an experimental farm, is deemed essential. 



It has from its commencement been the object of the conductors 

 of this Institute, to awaken the country to the importance of agri- 

 culture. In numbers it is admitted the farmers compose about lour- 

 fifths of our whole population, and their products supply most of 

 the materials of our clothing, as well as the means of sustaining life 

 to all. 



Washington, the father of his country, was a practical farmer. 

 We will quote his own words, uttered by him at the session which 

 closed his official labors, immediately preceding his retirement to his 

 farm at Mount Vernon. 



Extract from General Washington's speech on the opening of 

 Congress, 5th, Dec, 1796: 



" It will not be doubted, that with reference either to individual 

 or national welfare, agriculture is of primary importance. In pro- 

 portion as nations advance in population and other circum- 

 stances of maturity, this truth becomes more apparent, and renders 

 the cultivation of the soil more and more an object of public patron- 

 age. Institutions for promoting it grow up, supported by the public 

 purse; and to what object can it be dedicated with greater pro- 

 priety? Among the means which have been employed to this end, 

 none have been attended with greater success than the establishment 

 of boards, composed of proper characters, charged with collecting 

 and diffusing information, and enabled by premiums, apd small pecu- 

 niary aid, to encourage and assist a spirit of discovery and improve- 

 ment. 



£Am. Ins.] B 



