The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1872-04-13
A National Movement in the Cause of
Agriculture.

The following resolutions were adopted
by National Agricultural Convention,
held at Washington, in February, last:
Resolred, That it will greatly conduce to
the successful operations of agriculture
throughout the world, that its operators
should have the light of scientific knowledge
to guide the work.
Res0lced, That we recognize in the act
of Congress of July ., 1862, the foundation
upon which may be organized and built
colleges and schools, where the scientific
principles and knowledge of agriculture
may be taught, and that it is our anxious
desire and duty to foster and encourage
them in the work Of educating farmers.
Resolred, That in the establishment of
agricultural colleges and schools. their
organizations should embrace the following
principles:
LIST. They should be distinctively agricul-
tural in thier government and teachings;
that while no branch of learning shall be
excluded, whether it be knowledge of lam
guage, ofmechanics, or military tactics, yet
the main design shall be knowledge of
all those branches of natural and exact
science and practical skill which peculia ly
belong to finished agricultui al education.
I'd. That in any such college or schools.
actual manual labor should be practiced
and taught.
Sd. That females, as we'll as males, may
be admitted as pupils.
Resolred, That horticultural and agricul-
turai societies, and agricultural colleges
and schools, are co-laborers in the same
field, and tend to promote the same object
the proper cultivation of the soil; and
that all these should unite on any plan of
education by which the light of knowledge
should be made to shine upon their work.
Res0tced, That the Department of Agri-
culture is also creature of the govern
ment established for the same great pur-
pose Of cherishing and and promoting the
interests of agriculture, and that its eff
cheney must necessarily depend upon its
intimate connection with all other agricul-
tural institutions which exist in this and
foreign countries; and we therefore recon
mend to the said Department that it estab-
lish such relation with the agricultural
colleges and schools, and horticultural aud
agricultural societies as that there may be
continuous exchange of information,
seeds, roots, plants, and publications as
shall be mutually advantageous, and con-
duce to the leading agricultural and horti-
cultural interests of the country.
1t was resolved to hold in future Annual
Soh'oh1iois, anu Among tue SUBJECTS IOr
reportsat the next convention held. accord
ing to the first resolution, be the following.
First. On the importance and means of
improving physical experiences in agricul-
tural labor, the object being to devote to
the development of human skill the atten
ton too much confined to the horse and
the brute creation, and a report to be pre-
sented concerning experiences in farm-labor.
Second. On the Importance to farmers of
accurate accounts of expenses, receipts in
detail, and of careful study of these, as a
means OF constant annual improvement
Third. On the best means of organizing
neighborhood associations for mutual irn
provement.
Fourth. On the best method of conduct
ing experiments, and the necessity of care
full records, and of separating the cepdi-
tiOns involved.