Proceedings of the Farmer^ Club. 335 



" The influence of State boards and societies upon the agricul- 

 ture of their respective States, is already incalculably great; yet 

 they are only in their infancy — with many difficulties to surmount 

 and discouragements to face — which may be aided by judicious 

 action of this Department, and may in turn be strengthened by 

 association and labor with these local organizations. It is not my pur- 

 pose to attempt to designate the modes in which this unity of action 

 can be best attained; they will present themselves to your considera- 

 tion in your daily experience; but I will venture to hint at a few 

 obvious points in which you may always be able to advance the 

 interests of this Department and of agriculture. 



" You can render more successful the operations of the propa- 

 gating garden, in testing the merits of new seedling fruits, by send- 

 ing specimens of such as have attained local promise of value, for 

 experiment in different latitudes under varying circumstances of 

 treatment and culture. The receipt of seeds not tested will be 

 properly acknowledged, and all plants or seeds, when desired, will 

 be held subject to the control of the donor. Any new variety of 

 fruit, not disseminated, may confidently be considered safe, not 

 liable to premature distribution, to the injury of the originator. 



" You can also render valuable aid in the study of diseases of 

 fruit trees, by sending accurate accounts of their history, progress 

 and effects. The result of local observations and experiment is 

 desired, with a statement of influencing circumstances, including, 

 especially, the hydrometric condition of the atmosphere, the dew 

 point, elevation, shelter, &c. For the museum — or object library — 

 of the Department, specimens of natural liistory, of seeds, fruits, 

 fibers, minerals, and products of the economic arts, are solicited. 

 It is intended, eventually, to furnish State organizations with model 

 duplicates of tj^pe specimens of their most popular fruits. 



"The building now in progress of erection for the Department 

 ■will furnish ample accommodations, also, for a separate display 

 and classification of the products of agriculture and the minerals 

 of the several States, contributions for which object are now soli- 

 cited. It is believed that this will prove an interesting and useful 

 feature of the museum. 



"In entomology, incalculable good may result from correspond- 

 ence relative to insect depredations, with samples of the insects for 

 identification, description and experiment. 



" The cooperation of the State organizations in the collection of 

 agricultural statistics, will contribute materially to the success of 



fiNST.] 26 



