SECOND

ANNUAL MEETING

%iih Itatfs Igrirnlturfll Inrietg.

FEBRUARY 22, 1854.

PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS.

WASHINGTON:

PRINTED FOR THE USE OF MEMBERS

1854.

Franklia Print. Hc>i3e, lilO \7aehingtoa St. Boston.

ADDRESS.

Gentlemen of the Society:

The occasion which has convened us is the Second Anniver-
sary of the United States Agricultural Society.

Our meeting occurs this year on a day ever memorable in
America, as commemorative of the biith of the immortal
Washington, the friend of all that ennobles and dignifies
humanity. His military valor, his political wisdom, his patriot-
ism and benevolence were equalled only by his skill as a
farmer, and by his warm and enduring attachment to that
worthy cause which our Association seeks to promote.

In his first message to Congress, and in his last, he recom-
mended Agriculture to the consideration and patronage of
government, an object which he considered most important
to the welfare of his country and of mankind, and to which
he reCurned from the camp and the forum, after a life rendered
illustrious by distinguished public service in the cause of
freedom and of humanity.

I congratulate you, on the appreciation, by the men
of this generation, of the words of -wisdom which fell
from his lips on this subject. The seed which he sowed has
been long buried ; but at length it has sprung up, and gives
promise of a bountiful harvest. The progress of Agriculture is
remarkably evinced in our period by improved arts of cultiva-
tion,— by discoveries in the natural sciences on which those arts
depend — by the multiplication of agricultural societies and
periodicals — by the patronage extended to these — by the gen-
eral diffusion of knowledge — by labour-saving implements
of husbandry — by the increase of our agricultural products ,

in variety, quality and amount, — by tlie extended demand for
our crops, — and by the facilities for conveying the same from
the field of production to the great agricultural marts of the
world. These have long since relieved our fears of scarcity.
True, our population is increasing beyond a parallel in
history ; hundreds of thousands from the old world are
hastening to the new. Let them come ! We bid them wel-
come ; there is land enough for them and for us ! Here,
they become not mere consumers, but producers ; and increase
the amount of our products faster than they do the aggregate
of our consumption ; and therefore rather brighten than
darken the prospect of Agriculture in this great granary of
the world. They are constantly settling our new territories,
developing the vast natural resources of the country, enriching
the public domain, and adding to our national wealth and
power. Tliis cheering process will go on, in proportion as
the tyranny of trans-atlantic countries becomes more oppressive,
and the freedom of our beloved land more attractive. They
cannot Come so fast as to keep up with American enterprise, or
with the rapid extension of our boundaries, nor so fast as
materially to diminish the foreign demand for our agricultui'al
products.. ' Tides of immigration are rising on our Atlantic,
and also on our Pacific coasts. Let them rise, — till flowing
through the fastnesses of our mountains they shall meet and fill
up our great valleys with an active, intelligent and prosperous
yeomanry. But on these themes, it is not my purpose to
dwell, nor to address you at this time upon the science or art
of Agriculture, nor on the immense influence which is yet to
be exerted on our own country and the world by the ap-
plication of science to this art. ]My official relation rather
demands such suggestions pertaining to our organization and
progress, as the experience of the past year, and the present
condition of our Society seem to require.

PROGRESS.

When we consider how long kindred and richly endowed
institutions, in other countries, existed before their influence
Was powerfully folt in their respective territories, for the pro-

motion of Agriculture, we need not be surprised if our
Association, in the first year of its existence, and Avith small
pecuniary means, has not made its full impression on the
public mind.

Like every other enterprise, it must pass through its infancy
before, it can attain to manhood ; yet it has vital energy and
an important mission to accomplish ; it has grown and began
to act for itself in a manner which gives promise of future and
extensive usefulness. Its general objects have been defined ;
but its specific, await a fuller development.

Four numbers of its Journal have been issued, — the fir^t
National Exhibition has been held — its number of members
and funds have been increased — its agents have com-
menced their action under favorable auspices — its diploma
has been designed ; and all these will be spoken of in their
proper place.

THE JOURNAL.

In behalf of the Executive Committee, I have the pleasure
to announce that four numbers of the Society's Journal have
now been published, and constitute the first volume of its
Transactions, thus cancelling our obligations to the annual
members for theu* first year's subscription.

These, it is believed, will be found of permanent value, as
they contain original and other articles of intrinsic merit ; and
especially as it includes the history of the origin and progress
of the Society, its amended Constitution, lists of officers and
members, with their post office address, as far as it was pos-
sible to obtain them. In some instances, it has been imprac-
ticable to ascertain these, and, consequently, to transmit to
members through the post office, the publications of the
Society. It will, therefore, be necessary for each member to
see that his name and post office address are properly regis-
tered on the Treasurer's book. It is hoped that the future
numbers of this periodical will possess increased interest and
value, be prepared by a permanent editor, and, if quarterly,
issued with promptness and regularity. Of the past numbers,
the first was edited by Daniel Lee ; the second by J. C. G.
Kennedy, Corresponding Secretaries ; and the third and fourth

by William S. King, Recording Secretary. It may be
deemed advisable, by the Executive Committee, to issue the
next year's Transactions, not in quarterly numbers, but in one
volume, at the close of the year, to be delivered to members,
on or before the annual meeting, and to enrich it with
illustrated plates, and drawings of new or improved imple-
ments, of stock, of agricultural products ; and to make, so far
as practicable, a digest of the doings of the several State
Societies, and of others in foreign lands.

FIRST NATIONAL EXHIBITION.

The first National Exhibition, held under the auspices of
the Society, was at Springfield, in Massachusetts, on the 19th,
20th, 21st, and 22d days of last October. This was confined
exclusively to that noble animal, the horse. It originated
with the enterprising inhabitants of that city, who generously
assumed its pecuniary responsibility, and whose perseverance
and devotion to the object, conducted it with the most flatter-
ing success ; and who respectfully invited the co-operation
and superintendence of the United States Agricultural Society.
A full report thereof is contained in the Journal of the Society.
The benefits of this exhibition, and the attendance of more
than tiventy thousand people, encouraged the proprietors to
make the following proposition to the society :

Resolved, That we present to the United States Agricultural Society our hearty
thanks for their co-operation in carrying forward to its successful termination, the
Pirst National Exhibition of Horses in the world ; and that we respectfully request
them to unite with us in promoting a second exhibition of a similar character, to
be held under their auspices, in this city, in the year 1854, at such time and under
such arrangements as may be deemed expedient.

]\Iore recently, similar applications have been received by
your Executive Committee, from Ohio, and from difiierent
districts of the country. These, in the process of business,
will be submitted, all of which are commended to your favor-
able consideration.

From the experiment alluded to above, and the lively
interest manifested therein by all classes of society, it requires
no unusual foresight to discover that such national exhibitions
may not only give character to the Society and extend its influ-

ence, but also may easily be iiiade to enrich its treasury. I
therefore recommend that a Special Committee be appointed
to consider and report at this meeting, upon the expediency
of holding one or more cxliibitions during the current year,
either xipon the account of the Society, or in conjunction
with similar organizations

ME:\rBERS AND FUNDS.

As full returns from the agents employed to solicit member-
ships and funds, have not been received, it is impossible to
report with accuracy the additions which have been made
during the year. The Treasurer's Eeport, which will be
hereafter submitted, Avill exhibit the condition of his depart-
ment at this date.

A number of life-memberships have been created, and a
generous donation has been received from Hon. Jonathan
Phillips, of Boston, of five hundred dollars, the latter to
procure a suitable diploma for the Society. It is confidently
believed that funds sufficient to meet the current expenses of
the year, can be obtained from memberships and donations,
secured by the personal application of our agents ; and from
exhibitions, (should they be deemed advisable,) a permanent
fund might be realized on the principle which has placed other
societies in an independent condition.

GOVERNMENTAL AID.

It is still considered desirable to solicit the patronage of
Government, as contemplated in the last annual address, either
in the form of " a grant in furtherance of our objects, on the
same general principle as many of the State Governments
bestow their patronage upon the Agricultural Societies within
their territorial limits ; or, if Government would so direct, in
the form of a consideration for the performance by this Societv
of the duties of the Agricultural Department of the Patent
Office.

'^ The sum now expended by Government in that branch of
the Department, if placed at the disposal of this Society, would
enable us to collect, tlu-ough our auxiliaries and corresponding

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bodies, the most reliable statistics and the most recent and
valuable information, and would also enable us to publish the
same and to distribute it, through the members of Congress,
tlii'ough those of this Society, and of the hundreds of kindred
local Associations acting in concert with us throughout the
country."

This recommendation was referred to the Executive
Committee, under the following Resolution :

Resolved, That the Executive Committee be requested to make immediate
application to Congress, for that portion of the money now annually appropriated
to the Patent Office for the preparation of the Agricultural Report, and the collection
and distribution of Seeds, with the view to the performance of the same work by the
United States Agricultural Society.

The pressure of business before Congress at the close of the
last session, and other unavoidable circumstances, prevented
your Executive Committee from memorializing that body on
the subject ; but they conferred with members of both
branches, who expressed a deep interest in these objects, and
promised to give them their favorable consideration. It is
recommended that the same Committee be instructed to
prosecute these objects during the present session, or that a
Special Committee be charged with that duty.

DIPLOMA.

In accordance with the suggestion of the Executive
Committee, on the necessity of a suitable Diploma or
Certificate of Membership, an application was made to the
benevolent gentleman, already referred to, for funds to
accomplish this object ; and in consequence of his generous
response, I am now able to present the design for the same,
which has been approved by the Executive Committee.

The design represents, at the top, Ceres, goddess of Agricul-
ture, seated in a car drawn by a pair of oxen, and attended by
farm laborers. On her right hand sits Science, on her left.
Art ; before her lie the fruits of the earth, and various
implements used in its cultivation. The front of the car is
decorated with reliefs of the four quarters of the globe. She
is accompanied also by the Seasons of the year.

On the right side of the design is Pomona, goddess of

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Horticulture, and on the left. Flora. Groups of horses^
cattle, sheej), etc., form the hack grounds to these figures.

At the base, in a cartouche, is a view of Mount ^ crnon,
surmounted by the national emblems, and supported on
either side by a farmer and a gardener, with apjDropriate
scenes in the distance.

If this design meets the approbation of the Society, it
should be placed in the hands of a competent engraver, and,
as early as possible, a certified copy transmitted to each of the
members.

INCORPORATION.

As funds have been entrusted to this Society, which we
hope will be greatly increased, it is now deemed important
that an Act of Incorporation should be obtained ; and I
recommend that a Special Committee be charged with that
duty.

NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL INSTITUTION AND
EXPERIMENTAL FARM.

A Committee of the Maryland State Agricultural Society
have the honor of bringing to the public notice the importance
of a National Agricultural Institution and Experimental Farm.
Your Executive Committee had the pleasure to receive from
them a circular, inviting your cooperation in these Avorthy
objects ; and it is expected that these gentlemen and their asso-
ciates, in the progress of business, will present the subject
for your consideration and action.

These objects are essential to the social organization of
American agriculturists. We have various County Associations
auxiliary to those in the States where they are located ; and
the State Societies cordially cooperate with the United States
Agricultural Society. These State Societies either have, or
are endeavoring to secure Agricultural Institutions and
Experimental Farms under Legislative patronage within their
respective limits. Is it too much to expect that the Central
Government will do at least as much for agricultural education
and scientific farming in the nation, as any one of the individual

10

States accomplishes within its own borders ? Is it not com-
petent and expedient for Government to give more
prominence to this great industrial pursuit, — the principal
source of national wealth and prosj^erity ? These are important
and legitimate inquiries, and I trust they will receive the
consideration which they deserve. May not a National
Agricultural Department, with suitable instructors, library,
cabinet, and apparatus, be attached to the Smithsonian Insti-
tution, for the study of the Science of Agriculture ? May not
the estate of Washington, at Mount Vernon, be purchased for
a National Experimental Farm ? And may not the United
States Agricultural Society aid in the solution of these
problems, and in the accomplishment of these objects ?

COMMISSIONERS TO STATE EXHIBITIONS.

Important advantages have resulted to other Agricultural
Societies, from the appointment of Commissioners to visit the
exhibitions of kindred institutions ; and it is hereby recom-
mended that your Executive Committee be authorized to
appoint Commissioners whose duty it shall be to attend the
annual exliibitions of the State Agricultural Societies, to
collect and transmit to said Committee the transactions of those
Societies, together with their own report of their personal
observation, of whatever is specially important of record in
matters pertaining to the general interests of Agriculture, and
to promote a kind and friendly relation between the National
and State organizations. These reports, from time to time,
to be published under the direction of the Executive Com-
mittee, and be distributed to the members.

OBJECTS OF THE SOCIETY.

These have been substantially set forth in its Constitution,
but they are general, and their accomplishment must be a work
of time, and must depend on a concentration of our energies
upon then- essential parts.

Our general object is the improvement of American Agri-
culture ; but on how many things does this depend ? Each of
these must have its time and place ; and all must be prose-

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cuted in their natunil order. Coming up as we do from
different and widely distant sections of our country to the
Capital, only at our annual meeting, it is the moi'e important
that we should, on these occasions, clearly define our specific
objects and plans of action for the succeeding year, waiting
the developments of Providence to point out to us the path of
future duty. As I have already intimated, there are certain
subjects which claim our particular attention at this time, —
certain duties which we can, and in my estimation, ought, to
perform.

Of these, the most important and feasible are :

1. Exhibitions by the Society, either in its individual
capacity, or in connection with other associations :

2. The efficient action of Commissioners to attend the
exhibitions of the various State Societies, and to report
thereon :

3. The pubhcation, in the Journal of the Society, of
whatever is most valuable in the progress of the Agriculture
of our country :

4. An application for the aid of Government, either by an
annual appropriation, or by assigning to our Society the
compilation and publication of the agricultural volume now
issued under the direction of the Patent Office, with the
privilege of receiving and distributing seeds etc., free, so
that the same may be placed, by the agency of our Agricul-
tural Associations, acting in imison with us, directly in the
hands of the most prominent Agricultui'ists of the country,
and so that, in return, the most reliable and important results
may be obtained as to their inherent value and relative adapta-
tion to different localities. This service we may perhaps
advantageously perform, even should an Agricultural Bureau,
so eminently desirable, be established.

The accomplishment of these specific designs will
materially aid in the attainment of oui- general object, — will
extend our influence, and, in return, will increase our share in
the public confidence and patronage, and will give us our
relative position among the Agricultural Institutions of our
own and other nations.

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Gentlemen :

The presence, on this occasion, of so many who took an
active part in the organization and previous meetings of this
Society, and of others from distant sections of the country,
whose acquaintance we are happy to make, affords us the
highest satisfaction and encouragement. Among these I
recognize gentlemen whose names are honored, not only for
the important contributions which they have made to the
cause of Agriculture, but also for their valuable services in
the praiseworthy enterprises of our time and nation. But all
are not here ! An inscrutable Providence has removed some
from the scenes of earth, whose charity contributed liberally to
the funds of the Society. Three of our honorary members,
principal benefactors, whose donations were reported at our
last annual meeting, have ceased from their labors, and have
been gathered to their rest, " like a .shock of corn fully ripe
in its season," — Samuel Appleton, Thomas H. Perkins and
Robert G. Shav^^ — a trio of the oldest and most honored
citizens in the commercial metropolis of New England,
gentlemen whose memories will be cherished so long as merit
shall be appreciated, princely benevolence awaken gratitude,
and worthy deeds command the admiration of mankind.
These have fallen ; but others are rising up to occupy their
places, and to aid and encourage our endeavors.

Brother Farmers : I am especially happy to meet you on
this Second Anniversary of the United States Agricultural
Society. Whether you come from the auriferous fields of
California — from the alluvial soils of our great valleys —
from the plantations of the genial South — from the grain-
growing and manufacturing districts of the North ; I welcome
you to a participation with us in this enterprise, and in the
glorious prospects of our beloved country, — prospects which
w^e think can hardly be represented in colors too bright, when
we consider the agricultural and other resourses of our
favored land — the rapid increase of population that supplies
the laborers requisite for the development of these resources —
the advancement of the arts that put improved implements
into their hands — the progress of education that teaches them

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how to apply science to cultivation, and consequently how
to labor more successfully — the facilities for intercommunica-
tion that connect city with city, state with state, and ocean
with ocean, conveying our agricultural products to the great
markets of the world, and rewarding industry and labor with
competence and independence.

What an inviting and interesting field of labor opens before
us ! What a vast extent of territory, to whose limits and
population no manifest destiny has hitherto set bounds !
Who can predict the amount of our agricultural products,
when genius shall have improved as highly as possible the
imj)lements of husbandry, and when science shall have
applied to the arts of cultivation the rich fertilizers that now
lie in their native beds ! Who can calculate the millions
of population that those products shall sustain, when our
unoccupied territory shall be peopled and improved by an
enlightened and industrious yeomanry ?

Friends of Agriculture: In view of these cheering
prospects, let us act in a manner worthy of the j)Osition we
occupy. Let us mature plans as broad and deep as the
responsibilities that rest upon us, and let us execute them
with an energy which will surmount every obstacle, and
with a perseverance that shall never tire. Then will success
reward our efforts, and enable us to transmit to those who
shall succeed us, an inheritance richer than the birthright
of kings or princes, — the exalted privileges, the glorious
independence of an American Farmer !

MARSHALL P. WILDER.