The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1896-03-15

with reference either TO individual or Ma
tional welfare, agriculture is of rri-
mary Importance. In proportion as ma
tons advance in population and other
circumstnn OF maturity inis truth be-
comes moro and more an object Of public
patronage. Institutions for promoting It
grow up supported by the public purse,
aud to what object can IL bo dedicated
with greater success than the establish
mcnt of boards composed of proper char
actcrs. charged with collecting and dif-
fusine information. and enabled by pre-
miums and small peCuniary aids 10 cn-
courage ana assist spirit OF discovery
and Improvement This species Of cstab-
lishmcnts contributes doubly To the in
crease Of improvements by stimulating to
enterprise ard experiments and by draw
ing to common center the results every
whore OF individual skill and observation
and speeding them thence over The whole
Nation. Experience accordingly shows
that they are cheap instruments of Inn
mense National benefits" Thus, n hum
drcd years ago. the father of our coun-
try outlined the objects, duties and hcne-
Ats of agricultural boards. The years
that have passed since Washington, him
self practical farmer. emphasized tho
value and Importance OF agriculture have
but served TO corroborato the truth OF
his public utterances. Meanwhile we
have been learning many important facts
for ourselves regarding the best methods
of fostering and extending this Invaluable
adjunct 10 our National progress. and
while agricultural boards do not commend
desired. the organization OF Farmers
Institutes would undoubtedly be product
i've Of graf and lasting benefit 10 the
agricultural interests OF our State.
The design and primary objects Of such
Institutes would be to educate and. Gle
yaie the farmer. to make his business
more valuable and lis iifo ra1re agree
able to vary and increase the volume OF
his productions. 80 tAat he ray better
supply The public With Inire Wholesome
also TO lie material wealth Of our great
state. Designed, as ] have SAID. for the
mean that their influence shall stop and
end with tho man that actually holds
theplow handles but that II shall embrace
the entire. membership OF his family.
or any ether land are foInd In farm
houses, and tho parents OF these are
oftrn not so circumstance that they can
serd then away to school or spare their
ready hdp from the demands CT daily
toll Anc II these bright minds Of the
children OF the rural districts are ever
pertain 10 their life work the common
schools must come 10 their rescue and
parents impressed by Intelligent discus |
slons at such institutes may both by ex- |
ample md precept greatly aid the :
schools IN the performance OF their mis- |
siOns. We are all initiative creatures. |
and nei ARE but children ~ an. cider |
growth and as surely as the fixed laws |
OF mature change the seasons, Just so |
surely viii your. children catch the in
spiratin OF your hopes ana Improvement |
IN thought and action, and the maturity |
or ther years will show the frii1 OF |
carly siucation In stimulated desire for |
information and knowledge n how and |
when and what to do. and for those who |
do II f.lthfuliy win dawn an ora OF thrift. |
prosperity and contentment thh' are now |
too ofen strangers at the flr'sdes OF |
our rural homes. ] have briefly trieh 10 I
point out tho advantages 60 such irstl- |
tutes. and I would ask yonr rNceilency's |
and your active earnest |
pssiahnce to establish a system nsught |
with so miAh OF great E11 lasting BET eft |
10 TIE state and Its people.
TIL, wise iiberalty with which other |
stats make appropriations for their agri-
cultural bureaus Is strong evidence Of |
theIi appreciation OF the results obtained
and n just acknowledgment OF the great
merit and comprehensive vaIuo Of the
WORK. with smaller area than one OF
cur large counties. The State OF Rhode
Island makes an annual appropriation OF
aboit $4,000 for the current expenses OF |
It's agricultural department. The State
Of Massachusetts,. during the years from