764 [Assembly 



Judge Van Wyck. I like the sentiments expressed by Alderman 

 Hall and our worthy Secretary. Those who receive seeds and 

 plants from this Club ought to return a portion of the product of 

 them to us, for further distribution. We can succeed in the found- 

 ing of the Agricultural College, if we fairly exert ourselves. There 

 may be some opposition in respect to location — but the sentiment is 

 general and powerful in favor of our plan. We have funds on hand 

 - — a Library, and ardent friends of the cause. No rivalry ought to 

 exist — for we must begin ! — after a well tried and successful trial 

 of the system — a great many more like it will be established. We 

 must however beg'.n, and that immediately. 



Mr. Wakeman. Many useful applications to the Legislature fail 

 for want of a little attention. The members of that body are so ab- 

 sorbed by the multitude of matters under their consider iion, that one 

 of high importance may fail to attract their attention, unless its 

 friends are vigilant. Let us therefore begin early — write to our 

 friends, keep the subject awake — convince them that no spot could 

 be selected superior to the vicinity of this great city — for a Jirst 

 foundation. To this grand focus of commerce all things crowd, as 

 well as men — here the grand experiment can be well commerced — 

 tried under the eyes of tens of thousands of our citizens! Some 

 suj>pose that this might increase the wealth of our city — so it will, 

 but not directly — the benefit must first go to the farms of the country, 

 and then the benefit, or some of it will at last reach the city. 



Charles Henry Hall. I differ somewhat from Mr. Wakeman as to 

 that matter. I think that our fellow citizens of the country will say 

 that this is our city ! What interest can they have diflferent from ours? 

 If we educate fine agricultural scholars ior the country, what more 

 can we ask? The city proper has little if any agriculture. Here 

 the young and the old can come, such is the facility of travel, to 

 hear evening lectures on agriculture, and return to their homes in good 

 season. Nothing of the kind could be so easily done elsewhere. — 

 Here we receive such presents as those now brought to us by Mr. 

 Williamson — not so easy in the interior. What facility there is here, 

 in the visits of intelligent men, and the seeds, plants and animals, 

 books, &c., Vvhich they bring with them! What facility for all men, 

 from the greatest distances, to come here, see, buy, and carry home. 

 ]\Ir. President, we should keep a record of the names of those citizens 

 who receive seeds and plants from us, that we may know the results 

 of our operations. I have received to-day, the Turkey Corn, the 

 Cotton, Moscow Beans, and Upland Rice. 



