THE FIRST NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL CONGRESS. 213

of his characteristic and pleasant speeches, and, in conclusion, said: "It is with feelings of peculiar pleasure I present the Hon. J. P. Reynolds, of Illinois, a gentleman so well and favorably known to the agriculturists throughout the length and breadth of the land, who has devoted so much of his time and resources to this great work; who is now, to use a farmer's phrase, in harness, and who is one of the most active workers in the cause. I say it affords me peculiar pleasure. The committees have shown themselves wise in selecting such a one to conduct this enterprise, as it will be conducted under his leadership to a successful issue. I am gratified to present to you the eminent gentleman from Illinois."

President Reynolds, in returning thanks, tersely reviewed the objects and aims of the Congress, and referred briefly to its future scope and power. He thought the association, in its aims and in its character, and in all other respects, was certainly one to which the American people might look with some sort of hope, and aid in the grand interests for which all were working. He said it would be a waste of words to now make any suggestion to the assembly; indeed, at this late stage it would be a waste of time. He, therefore, asked to be excused from making any extended remarks, and tendered his thanks for the honor conferred on him.

The President appointed the following committee on revision of the Constitution: Dr. LeMoyne, of Pennsylvania; Dr. Spurr, of Kentucky; General Jackson, of Tennessee; Mr. McArdle, of Montana Territory; John Scott, of Iowa; John A. Warder, of Ohio, and General Marmaduke, of Missouri.

Mr. French moved that the delegates make nominations for Vice-Presidents in the various States. Carried; whereupon the following Vice-Presidents were chosen: Alabama,

C. C. Langdon, Mobile; District of Columbia, John Saul, Washington; Georgia, O. H. Jones, Atlanta; Illinois, Hon. A. M. Garland, Springfield; Indiana, F. C. Johnson, New Albany; Iowa, Dr. J. M. Shaffer, Fairfield; Kansas, George F. Anthony, Leavenworth; Kentucky, Dr. James H. Moore, Harrisburg; Minnesota, J. H. Stevens, Minneapolis; Mississippi, Dr. J. O. Wharton, Terry; Missouri, Arthur B. Barrett, St. Louis; North Carolina, William F. Kornigny, Goldsboro; Ohio, Norton S. Townsend, Avon; Pennsylvania, A. Boyd Hamilton, Harrisburg; Tennessee, General W. H. Jackson, Nashville; Virginia, Commodore M. F. Maury, Lexington; South Carolina, William M. Lawton, Charleston; Maryland, Henry A. Parr, Baltimore.

Mr. J. B. Killebrew offered the following in relation to Farmers' Clubs:

Resolved, That this Congress do earnestly recommend to farmers in various districts and townships through the United States to organize themselves into Clubs, and have monthly meetings, and with this organization disseminate through the newspapers the facts they may gather in the interest of practical agriculture. Adopted.

On motion of Dr. Spurr, amended by Dr. Spalding, it was resolved that a committee be appointed to whom any resolutions might be referred. The chair appointed Dr. Spurr, Mr. G. B. Whitman, Dr. J. A. Warder, and Gen. Jackson.

As showing the wide scope taken in the deliberations of this Congress, on motion and after considerable discussion, the President, assisted by the members, selected the following committees: On Meteorology-Com. Maury, Professor Turner, Rev. A. Means. On Forest Culture-R. S. Elliot, Dr. Warder, W. C. Flagg. On Experimental AgricultureDr. Spalding, Gen. W. H. Jackson, Chas. V. Riley. On Agricultural Education-Col. R. E. Withers, H. M. McAllister,

THE FIRST NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL CONGRESS. 215

T. K. Hudson. On Grasses-L. D. Morse, M. Williams, O. H. P. Lear. On Transportation and Commerce-Gen. Marmaduke, W. D. Williams, R. M. Patton. On Fertilizers-Prof. Jamison, M. F. Fontain, J. C. Burroughs. On Labor and Emigration-W. M. Lawton, Geo. Edmunds, E. B. Whitman, Wm. M. Wielandy. On Live Stock-Dr. Spurr, D. B. Gilham, D. H. Jones. On Horticulture-Dr. E. S. Hull, F. H. French, J. L. Ratliff.

The reading of an essay on immigration, by Mr. Lawton, of South Carolina, which was politically violent and inflammatory in its nature, gave rise to the following resolution, by Mr. Flagg, of Illinois:

Resolved, That, inasmuch as topics supposed to have a remote political bearing have been regarded as not proper subjects for discussion by this convention, therefore, all speakers and essayists be requested to avoid such allusions to the "late unpleasantness" as may be denunciatory of persons differing in political opinions, and calculated to disturb the harmony of the meeting.

Mr. Anthony, of Kansas, begged leave to inquire if the resolution was retroactive. He could wish that it were, for Mr. Lawton's essay on immigration was one purely political in character, and one eminently qualified to revive the old feeling of difference between the North and South. He would not be willing to give even a tacit support to such a paper. He did not wish to discuss the question, but moved an amendment that the essay mentioned be not spread upon the records.

Mr. Withers said the question was out of order, and could not come up unless a motion to print was before the house. Mr. Anthony said he understood that all essays read became a part of official proceedings, and, if so, he wished the essay on immigration eliminated.

The chair explained that but one essay read had thus far been ordered printed. A special order would be necessary. The resolution of Mr. Flagg was then read, and passed unanimously.

It is worthy of remark that this discussion was conducted in the most friendly spirit, both North and South, all parties holding alike that it was in bad taste, and that hereafter all subjects having a political bearing ought, properly, to be ruled out of order.

Mr. Scott, of Illinois, offered the following resolution, relating to the preservation of timber:

WHEREAS, The destruction of our forests will ultimately bring about drouths injurious to the agricultural interests of the country; therefore, be it

Resolved, That the preservation of our forests, and the artificial planting of forest trees on our vast prairies, are subjects of most vital importance to the agriculturist, as well as the people of the United States.

This was referred to the committee on forest trees.

Mr. F. C. Johnson, of Indiana, offered a resolution instructing all agricultural and horticultural societies to offer premiums for the best agricultural and horticultural papers, and to do all in their power to contribute to the extension of their circulation. Adopted.

Mr. H. J. Schulte offered the following:

Resolved, That a memorial be forwarded from this body to the next United States Congress, urging it to reserve at least six sections of timber in each of the congressional townships of the present government land covered with forest, in order to avoid the extremes of drouth resulting from the want of timber or trees. Referred to committee on forests.

Mr. J. B. Killebrew offered the following important resolution, which was adopted:

Resolved, That the farmers in every district and township in the United States organize themselves into Clubs for

THE FIRST NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL CONGRESS. 217

monthly meetings, to collect and disseminate the facts that they may gather in the interest and practice of Agriculture.

On motion of Mr. Whitman, a committee of five was appointed, to whom all resolutions might, at the pleasure of the Congress, be referred without debate.

The convention then proceeded to discuss the different sections of the Constitution. Several minor amendments were adopted. The title of the association was changed to that of the National Agricultural Society, but a reconsideration was voted, and the old title of the National Agricultural Congress was finally retained.

Com. Maury's paper on Meteorology was the most important paper read before the Congress. It related to the influence of rain storms, winds, dews, etc., their volume and distribution, and the influence exercised by the planting of timber. It comprehended, in its scope, the continuous meteorological observations throughout the world, by the combined governments of every land. "By this means," said the eminent lecturer, "we may eventually foretell the seasons with a great degree of certainty." The address also comprehended the regular publishing of reliable crop reports, through which the farmer might keep himself informed in relation to the future of prices, from the appearance of the crops throughout the world.

Gov. Patton, of Alabama, from the Committee on Transportation, submitted the following resolutions:

Resolved, That this Congress appoint a special committee of three to consider the subject in all its bearings, and to report at the next meeting of this body such information acquired as may seem to be necessary.

Resolved, That this Congress invite such correspondence from all parts of the country, to be addressed to the chair