No. 216.] 763 



high ground, the field of six acres was covered wilh turnips, much 

 of this size. This one on your table weighed about fifteen pounds. 

 I present also, Turkey corn, a grain somewhat resembling millet, and 

 used there to feed young turkies. It has also the name of Timothy. 

 I present also cotton grown from the seed of Sea Island cotton, on 

 high ground in Tennessee. Trials of this cotton had been made 

 there, and eight hundred and three bales of it had been raised, and 

 last year four thousand bales of it were raised. I present also white 

 and reddish colored corn, of which the crops are immense. The 

 grains of the white corn are remarkably large. 



Charles Henry Hall moved a vote of thanks to Mr. Williamson, 

 for these presents of new varieties of seeds. Judge Van Wyck sec- 

 onded the motion, and it was unanimously adopted. 



Mr. Hall said that the Sea Island cotton and rice, growing on 

 lands fourteen hundred feet high, were indeed interesting to agricul- 

 turists, and those who receive them should carefully report the re- 

 sults of the experiments which they may make wilh them. If we 

 had, as we ought to have, an Agricultural College, we should know 

 what to do with them. By careful planting and cultivation done in 

 the best manner, we should be able to introduce all those v> hich are 

 useful to our country. 



Mr. Meigs said that the proposed new system of Agricultural ed- 

 ucation would be conducted with a view, not only to the varied la- 

 bors of the farm, in the most perfect manner, but that the experimental 

 farm would produce all the best seeds and plants — which would be 

 sought after by all farmers, because they would be entirely free from 

 those frauds so general in the seed trade. This would be guarantied 

 by the officers of the Institution — at the head of whom there will 

 be some patriotic, able, independent citizen — without compensation, 

 who will glory in governing it with honor and integrity. No sell- 

 ing of unfruitful seeds or chea'ing grafts — no dyeing of old and worth- 

 less seeds, as is now practiced. So mixing of the old and the new 

 ■ — no need of another Sancho Panza, Governor of Baratavia, to 

 punish the crime of mixing old nuts with new ones. The buildings 

 will be of simple and cheap construction — such as a first rate far- 

 mer would erect. V/e must not build and lay out all the money — 

 half finish and then remove. The most exact economy, the most 

 perfect order will be observed. The precious seeds and plants will 

 be kept and delivered to the country, like so much specie from the 

 counter of a bank — and the vrhole benefit v.ill be for our country, 

 and not for this city — for here we have no farms! 



