The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1855-10-30
We might then hope to have the absurd and In
furious inspection laws repealed or greatly modi

1urlous inspecton laws repealed or greatly "oai-
fed. ~
The existing laws respecting draining and diking
and the formation Of mill ponds, would be made to
harmonze more with the interest of agriculture, a.
well as with common sense, and with tho laws OF
nature, affecting tho sanitary condition OF the
people
Full and accurate geographical and geological
surveys and maps of the State would be made
now 30 much needed by tho agricultural, mining
and internal Improvement interest of the Com
An agricultural school would be established, In
which the sons of our poorest citizens would Dc IN
sfrncted In tho elements Of a the physical sciences
together with the application of the same to the art
of agriculturethus training up new and most use
full class of intelligent farmers. s-iV Z
And Professorship of Agriculture would be en-
dowed in at least of our literary institutions.
These, and many other important measures,
gates to your own Assembly; and 1t cannot be
doubted, would be successfully carried out into
practice, with the aid of the Legislature and the
resources of the Society.
And among these measures should hope to see
realized the idea which L have heretofore urged
upon your consideration, Of the establishment ut
Richmond Of q suite Of agricultural rooms, to IN
clude large hall for the accommodation of meet
ngs of the Society and of the delegates to be used
also occasions of public lectures on agriculture
and place for the deposit and safekeeping of seeds
and plants; OF specimens of soils, manures and mi
nerals; of models of machines and other interest
AiiB anu mere, 700, 6Qoulu U6
an agricultural reading room and library and also
the Secretary's Office and the archives of the So
ciety. a f,a .ss....e. .--s-4
Then would your Secretary no longer be confined
to the mere clerical labor of recording proceedings
and to common place routine, but would be
charged also with the higher duty of collecting into
his office useful facts and information from every
available source and Of preparing tho same for pub
hcation and circulation for the benefit of agricul
ture. -r
In this connection 7 m av ram RI that N.
Maury, of the U. s. Navy, who has won a world
wide fame by the great benefit he has conferred on
navigation and commerce, by the successful appi-
cation of science to practice illustrated in his sail
ing directions and charts, has, as you are aware,
in communication recently published proposed
systematic observation of meteorological facts and
phenomena, to be made by the farmers and plant
ers throughout the country, reports of which he
suggests shall be returned to an office in the city of
Washington, there to be arranged and digested and
made the basis of farming and planting guide
which he thinks will result in as great benefit to
agriculture have bis sailing charts and directions
to navigation and commerce Even admitting
which l confess do not-that the distinguished
gentleman has somewhat over-estimated the advan-
tages likely to accrue to agriculture from observa-
tons to be made in single field of those numerous
and wide realms of science which arc SO intimately
connected with the highest and most recondite of
all the arts nevertheless it cannot be doubted that
very great benefits would result to every cutivator
of the SOIL from an investigation of the climatic
and meteorological laws, which are doubtless fixed
and invariable, and therefore ascertainabe, and
which, especially in the United States, exert SO
marked and controlling an influence over vegetable
growth and production. ...rss .. .'@-' ..=
Seeing then that such important results would flow
from the making OF observations and the collection of
facts in connection with climate and the atmosphere
what greater benefits would ensue could system be
executed for extending observation and for collecting
useful knowledge in the numerous other departments
of science and of art connected with the successful
cultivation of the earth AS for instance, in all that
appertans to the soil itself-its improvement and cu
tivation-which, much more than the atmosphere
controls vegetation and determines the results of all
crSCs, S,. n.,,,a !. a.. ,.u.so,., .e -.
of the State could be induced only to contribute
the large amount of valuable information already in
their po:sesson but henceforth to make Systematic
to be made available as parts of common stock of
This indeed is the great work; the initiation and
direction of which should henceforth chiefly engage
and occupy secretary and the executive OF your
society," and it is that which have heretofore urged
upon the consideration both of the Society and of the
Executive Committee. (See appendix to my report
of last year .-
Such is brief review of the extended and fruitful
field of labor that will be laid open to this society by
the adoption of and improved constitution,
wisely adapted to it's present wants and circumstances
And am happy to be able to say that the
form committee have prepared such constitution
to be submitted to this meeting. There are, how
ever, several provisions in the constitution in the
support of which cannot concur but those of
minor Importance and ample provision is made for
future amendments any defects may be hereafter
moved and moreover 1t is manfestly mpracticable
TO discuss such subject in your crowded meetings
shall raise no objection but the contrary, earnest
y recommend the adoption of this instrument in the
form IN which it will be presented. ..-
Not doubling that you will take action at this meet
ing that will lead to thorough organization of your
Society," and as this subject alone is enough to occupy
your time and thoughts shall limit this report to the
remarks aready made IN the same connection,
The Executive Committee viii make the usual re-
port of the proceedings of that body.
will also ha IL bTuttp0 hy the ol
mittee appointed under resolution adopted at ycur
last annual meeting and charged with the nvestiga
tion of the subject of the establishment of Profess
sorship of Agriculture il one of the literary instu
tions of the S.ate. .r-
President COOKE concluded his address bv re-.
signing his official position, with the subjoined re-
marks:
In accordance with the notice heretofore given
l shall come, gentlemen, at the expiration of nv
present official term, to resign into your hands the
honorable Office which for three years past YOU
have conferred upon me.
No lukewarmness in the great cause of your So
cety nor any Indifference insensibility to the
high honors of the position lead me to this course
but l am impelled to it, by the state of my health
by numerous private engagements, well as by
desire to give place to the just claims of others
and to the true policy of the Society to establish
rotation in its offices of honor and of trust.
take this occasion to return to you my most
grateful Acknowledgements for the high honor YOU
have conferred upon me in having thrice called me-
without dissenting voice, to fill the highest Office
within your gift. / have endeavored to make the
best returns within my power-that of an earnest
and Jealous devotion of my best energes and of
my humble abilities in the advancement of what
have conceived to be the true and best interests of
the Society .t
And whilst am not vain as to pretend to have
accomplished anything of myself of all that has
been achieved in the great work of elevatng your
Society to its present preeminent position, the
other hand, can most justly and heartily accord
all merit to your own public spirit and iberalty,
and to the able and jealous efforts of my numerous
colaborers. And in retiring from my present posi-
tion, there remains to me sufficient qualification in
contemplating the present prosperity and the
bright and cheering prospects of your Society.
In conclusion, gentlemen, allow me now to offer
TO you my feryent wishes for the ultimate attain
ment of all the high and patriotic objects of your
association.
On notion the report of the President was re-
ceived, laid on the table and ordereito be printed.
Erecntive Commitce-Mr. Charles b. Williams,
the Secretary, next read the report of the Execu-
tive Committee, which was also received and or
dered to be printed. 1t reads thus:
The Executive Committee in rendering to the
Virginia State Agricultural Society, report OF
their transactions since the last annual meeting,
would avail themselves of the occasion to congrat-
uiate the members the peaceful relations of our