Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-02-05
UNITED STATES AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Agricultural Society took place yesterday morning,
at 10 o'clock, in the Lecture Room of the Smith
sonian Institution.
The meeting was called to order by the President OF
the Society," MARSHALL p. WILDER, Esq, OF Massachu-
, SETS In the absence Of the Recording Secretary,
oBERr C. WALKER, Esq, of Pennsylvania the Chair
appointed W. s. KING Esq, Of Rhode Island, Secretary
I, pro tenn.
ed over in the usual order, and members present from
each respectively gave in their TWAS found that
members from the following States and Territories
prescnt viz Massachusetts, Rhode Island Connecticut,
New York. New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Mary
land Virginia Ohio Indiana, Michigan, Texas, Wiscon-
sin, and the District of Columbia.
The Chair requested reports from State Societies
to this Society be the Corresponding Secretary
Professor MArEs of New Jersey, handed to the Chair
portion Of the vine stalk of the Japan pea which
raised last in Suffolk county, New Jersey. The
seed was originally obtained from of the company
Japanese vessel wrecked the coast of California,
and formed portion of their food He described it
plant whose botanical had yet precisely
settled but which probably well deserving the atten-
ton of agrcutursts. The specimen offered was cut off
at about feet from the ground and thcky stud
ded around with seed pods thus producing very many
times the crop of the ordinary pea of our gardens
In planting these peas set at about five feet apart
and in the of their growth the whole surface
of the intervening ground They require sticking or
other support the stem being quite stiff and unyeldng
This pea appears to be specially useful for feeding to
horses but may, doubt be also made to contribute
largely to human sustenance. Besides the Japan pea,
Professor MAPE also of the California
soap plant the palmillo. 1t is probable, however that
this class of plants not suited to comparatively
humid climate Nature to have given the soap plant
those regions where rain is deficient and where ami
mails do not deposite suthcency Of fat to furnish aow
1t may therefore be expected for double reason that
the soap plant would thrive much in Atlantic
gon In New Mexico, &c. it is of the most common
of plants
The President then delivered his annual address, He
represents the prospects of the Society be highly fiat
terng; such should inspire every member with
couragement, and determination do all he can to-
wards the urherance of the great ends the association
The address alluded successfully to the subject of the
pointment of members of the National Board Aricu
ture the printing and publication of the Journals of the
Society," the first of which, consisting of Ia octave pages
already in the hands Of most of the members, and
cond win be shortly issued the opening of correspon
dence and cooperation with distinguished agrcultursts
and local associations all the United States, which
the President thinks should be extended
atlantic nations and the assistance of the General Gov
eminent solicited in regard to it.
attending
the central location of the headquarters the Society
in Washington, and notices in handsome terms the ;
courtesy of the Directory Of the Smithsonian Institution
in granting to the Society the free of their hall The
Society must however look around and secure the per-
manent Of public building Offices in existing
edce for the Corresponding Secretary and Treasurer
the preservation Of the records and of the agricultural
seeds and products which may be hereafter ,
acquired, and also for agricultural library museum,
and cabinet
1t will be necessary employ permanent Secre-
tary with salary whose time and talents will be wholly
devoted to the interests and business Of the Society The
Treasurer, also, win have be suitably compensated
The President submits whether for the payment of
these officers. the printing and publication of the journals
and transactions postage, and other necessary
tngent expenses aid may be obtained from the
Government
Either" says Mr. wilder rs grant in furtherance
of Objects the general principle many the
State Governments bestow their patronage upon the ag
cultural societies within their territorial limits if Gov
eminent would direct consideration for the per-
Torrance by this Society Of the duties Of the Agrcul
tural Department Of the Patent Office.
1.-The sum expended by Government in that branch
of the Department, if placed at the disposal of this So
ciety, would enable collect through auxaries
and corresponding bodies the most reliable statistics and
the most recent and valuable information and would also
enable to publish the and to distribute it. through
the members Of Congress- through those of this Society
and OF the hundreds OF kindred local associations acting
in concert with US throughout the country"
In the Of aluson what has been and might be
done for the Society by private munifcence the Pres
dent stated that
"A gentleman Of fortune, Hon. Samuel Appleton, Of
Boston, whose is honoraby associated with various
phlanhropc and charitable enterprises Of and
nation, has the honor Of commencing worthy action in
our behalf by donation Of thousand doLdrs Several
other distinguished gentlemen have subscribed literally to
our funds IN the form either Of donations Of femem
berships detailed statement Of which will hereafter be
submitted and published in the Socieys transactions"
Three Of these Col Perkins (of Boston, Ro-
bert G. Shaw, and Josiah Quincy.
Having received q communication from committee Of
the Crystal Palace Association with view to secure the
cooperation Of this Society the President submitted
whether would accede to the wishes Of the association
as If it did, committee would be requisite with powers
to give full and dgnifed efficiency the part the Society
shall wish to bear in it. After expressing hope that
Of the distinguished gentlemen present would favor
the Society with addresses lectures agricultural
topics the present anniversary the President
mends that the annual meeting will during the
session Of Congress- provision be made hereafter
annual Of lectures during the anniversary and
that the be published either in the transactions Of
| the Society or in q separate volume.
Some amendments TO the constitution pointed out
The address concludes with eloquent reference TO the
cheering prospects Of the Of agriculture Afec
tonae alusion made and honorable tribute paid