Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1852-07-22
National Agricultural Conven-
ton.

chosen President, and Geo. w. Ne
smith, of n. H., one Of the Vice Presi
dents.
Mr. Wilder amidst much applause
took the chair, and addressed the Con
vention as follows -
Gentlemen of the Convention -
will not interrupt the proceedings OF thu:
body bv any acknowledgements from the
chair but | cannot forbear TO tender &c
you my heartfelt gratulations for the hon
or YOU have conferred upon me in Sc
lecting me 10 preside over your deliber
a,ions-an honor which is connected
with pursuit which has ever laid near
my heart.
Permit me also 10 express my great
qualification, that there are present so
many members representing the agrcul-
tural interest Of this great Republic
some gentlemen coming from different
and distant parts OF the Union, at great
personal sacrifice ; but, whether from the
North or the South, the East or the
West extend to each of you the hand
of fellowship, and greet you as broth
ers IN common cause.
Gentlemen, we come here with no
sinister motives we have no political
arguments to advance ; we have no sec
tional or party purposes. We are here
TO advance an art coeyal with the exis-
tence of the human race-an art which
employs eighteen millions of our popu-
la,ion, and four-hfths of all the capital
in our fair landau art which lies at the
very foundation of national and individ-
ual prosperity and wealth, the basis of
commerce, of manufactures, and Of in
dustrial pursuits. We are an agricul-
tural people /; our habits, our dispositions
are rural. | rejoice that it is So and
pray that it may ever continue to be so.
Our country embraces every variety Of
soil, and is capable Of products of the
torrid and temperate zones, and with a
suitable application Of science to this
art, and wise division of labor, with
proper governmental aid, there is no
reason why American agriculture may
. not sustain competition with that of any
other nation of the civilized globe.
The progress of agriculture, as YOU all
know, gentlemen, has been slow in the
United States, but new era has now
commenced. The old worn out systems
Of cultivation which have been followed
by iather and son, and from generation
to generation, are now TO be swept away
and science is TO take lis place in aid OF
honest industry. rejoice, gentlemen
that we live TO see this that the seed
planted by the immortal Washington
and which has been watered by thou
sands of other eminent agricututist, i,
now taking root, and that we live in oul
day TO realize some of the proud results
Of their hopes.
Much of the progress which has beer
attained in our country, is the result o
individual enterprise aided by the agri
cultural press but the great motive pow
or is confederated action, is ASSOCIATED
effort. Gentlemen, we have met on lh
occasion to avail ourselves of this pow.
eriul impetus. AT no period in the his
tory of our country has there been sucl
an assembly collected for the purpose o
considering those objects for which W
are brought together, and there ha
been no opportunity which is so favor
able TO the 'irteres,s of the farmer.
Permit ne again, gentlemen, to ten
der.you my thanks for the disiinctio
you have conferred upon me, and to sa
that, in the course Of our deliberaton
] may, with your permission, participate
in your debates. [Applausol
Productiveness in Agriculture.
How DIMINIguFn-A coNSroupuCp n