The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1885-07-17
IN AID OF AGRICULTURE.
Convention of Agricultural colleges
at Warrington.


The convention of representatives of agri-
cultural colleges and experimental stations,
held a few days since in Washington, was
called TO order by W. f. Switzler. Of Mis-
souri, The assemblage took place in the
seed room of the department of agriculture
"a hall of considerable size in the new build
ing in the agricultural grounds. The stores
of last years seeds, now amounting to about
two car loads, were piled up in bags at one
end Of the hall and covered with bunting
with which material, and flowers and plants
from the lighthouses, the hall was tastefully
decorated.
There were present at the opening between
fifty and sixty delegates representing all
the leading agricultural colleges and expert
mental stations of the United States Or
ganzation was effected 10y the election Of
Con missioner Collnan as chairman and Pro-
fessor George Farchild as secretary. A com
mttee on credentials was named.
Commissioner Colman in his opening adj
dress of welcome briefly sketchcd the discus
sions IN Congress which preceded the mag
nticent grants Of lands for the endowment
of agricultural colleges in the several States
of the Union, and said it would be conceded
that the general public professed a degree of
disappointment in the outcome of these nsti-
buttons. The predominant idea in Congress
was that of interesting young men in farm
ing operations and in the fundamental prin-
ciples of plant culture by showing how they
might realize profits in raising crops. This
object was in some degree a failure.
A letter was received from Miss Rose Eliza
beth Cleveland asking if the subject of silk
culture would be considered by the conven-
ton. She said she took a deep interest in
the silk industry, mot only because it seems
right and fitting that we should produce our
own silk i'll successful competition with the
Old World, but because this industry, when
so est ablished as it may be by encouragement
of the government will afford one more ave-
nue. of self-support to women" The convcn-
ton by resolution announced itself in SYM
pathy with Miss Cleveland's sentiments and
invited her TO be present at the meetings.
Mr.. X. Tamari, japanese official commits
sioner of the orld's Exposition, said that
Japan was deeply interested in the questions
before the convention
At the afternoon session a resolution was
adopt d providing for the appointment of q
committee to urg4 upon the attention OF Con-
4 gress such legislation as might be favored by
the convention AMI to take steps to secure ia
vorabe action thereon.
A resolution offered by tie committee on
+ the order of business was one i'll approval Of
the plan of the commissioner of agriculture,
/ as set forth in his address to the convention,
/ for introducing upon farms connected with
agricultural colleges and experiment stations
the more valuable plants and trees adapted
/ to local climatic conditions from the various
parts OF the world. This gave rise to a spr-
tied debate. 1t seemed to be the opinion of q
ma oritv of the speakers that the distribution
/ of seeds should be ma lie entirely by the COM
missioner of agriculture, who was supposed
to ba in a position to know or to learn what
varieties would be beneficial to any particu-
p lar locality, and who could be held RESPONSE
. Die for results.
a number of papers on agricultural topics
Were read by delegates.