342 [Assembly 



this kind had been undertaken, and hoped nothing would prevent the 

 successful operation of the plan. We are deeply indebted to France 

 for valuable information on Agricultural and other topics of interest 

 and importance. He referred to the very excellent manner in which 

 Statistical Tables of national Industry and resources are yearly pre- 

 pared in France, and strikingly contrasted it with the wretched ma- 

 terial of the same department in our own" country, and even when 

 these fine tables are imported, they lie uncut upon our shelves. So 

 badly do we manage, said the Speaker, that when connected with 

 the Agricultural Committee of one of our Legislatures, I found it 

 almost impossible to ascertain the number of cows milked in the 

 State of New-York! Let us by all means start into activity this 

 project of exchanges: we can doubtless aid men of genius and learn- 

 ing in France and Europe, and the inventive men of this country 

 <:an be immensely benefited by the lights of Europe. We can in 

 this way do great good. We are all members of one family, and it 

 is hoped that these suggestions will be realized. 



Mr. Meigs addressed the Convention on the subject of an Agri- 

 cultural Department. Public measures had long been wanting to 

 bring into the vanguard this department of our Industry, and Mr. M. 

 proposed that a Committee be appointed to inquire into and report 

 upon the subject. 



Judge Van Wyck thought the single fact that a Department of 

 Agriculture had been recommended by General Washington, should 

 be a rebuke to the public apathy, and a sufficient inducement for its 

 immediate establishment. 



The Committee was appointed as suggested, the gentlemen com- 

 posing it being Messrs. Wakeman, Van Wyck and Lee. 



Mr. Houghton here wished to state what might be termed a new 

 discovery in the history of the Potato Disease. He would not be 

 able to attend again during the sittings of the Convention, and would 

 offer that as his apology for so far interrupting the course of pro- 

 ceedings. Having, in accordance with a previously expressed desire 

 of the Institute, for the sake of experiment, mowed off the tops of 

 his potatoes to prevent the disease, he found it of no manner of use. 

 He then hit on a new plan — of pulling off the tops from every hill, 

 keeping down the tubers with the foot, and afterward covering them 

 with a handful of earth. Proceeding in this manner up and down 



