The Committee appointed by the Society to propose plans for its
adoption, believing that the objects which may properly claim the
attention of the Association, are very numerous, are therefore
free to suggest, whether it would not be advantageous to institute
several standing committees, each of which should cultivate a
particular department of Agriculture, or some of the sciences that
may minister to its improvement.
If the Society should approve of this plan, we propose that these
committees should be made up by voluntary associations among the
members as far as practicable, each being at liberty to join himself
to such as he may choose, and all vacancies and deficiences in
the numbers of said committees should be filled by the presiding
officer. They should in no case consist of less than five members,
whose names should be entered on the minutes of the Society; and
they should each have a secretary to receive communications, to
arrange and digest the scattered materials they may collect, and
to lay before the society such as may be thought worthy of its
attention.
All books, models, drawings, or specimens, that any of these
committees procure in the course of their labours, shall be kept in
such place as it should direct.
It is recommended that the formation of the following standing
committees be authorized at the time--to be renewed at the first
stated meeting in each year.
1st. A committee on farm buildings, fences and implements of
husbandry. To study the improvement of houses, barns, barn-yards and
out buildings, both as it regards the plan and materials. To examine
the relative cost of the different kinds of fences, and the best
methods of constructing or raising them. To make improvements in
the implements of husbandry, and to introduce such as may be made in
other places.
2d. A committee on the Veterinary Art--To investigate the nature
and origin of the diseases of domestic animals, and endeavour to
ascertain the best methods of prevention and cure.
3d. A committee on Natural History, particularly Mineralogy and
Entomology. To develope the mineral productions of the County, and
to ascertain its geological structure, partly for the purpose of
designating the kind of soil in each neighbourhood. To examine the
habits of such insects as injure the crops of the farmer, with a
view of discovering the means of destroying them, or preventing
their ravages; and such other branches of Natural History as are
interesting to the Agriculturalist.
4th. A committee on Political Economy. To attend to the political
interests of Agriculture, and examine the manner in which public
measures affect it. To inquire into the utility of public
improvements, such as canals, bridges, and turnpike roads, and into
the means of giving the Agricultural class its due weight in the
government.
5th. A committee on Domestic Animals. To inquire after and introduce
the best kind, to endeavour to ascertain the most economical and the
best methods of rearing, managing and feeding them, together with
facts on the relative advantages of the employment of horses and
oxen for labour.
6th. A committee on grasses, grains and roots. To inquire after and
recommend the best and most profitable kinds, the time and manner of
sowing and planting, with the most proper quantity of each per acre,
also the previous preparation of the ground and seed, together with
the best method of culture.
7th. A committee on Manures.--To endeavour to ascertain the
relative advantages of barn-yard manure, plaister, lime, burnt
clay, ashes, and all other kinds of manure, with the time and manner
of application of each, whether best applied on ploughed or grass
lands, on the surface or ploughed in, deep or shallow; together with
the best methods of accumulating and preparing barn-yard and stable
manure.
8th. A committee on fruit and forest trees.--To endeavour to
ascertain the best and most useful fruits of all kinds, with the
best method of making wine, and cider, &c. To examine the causes
of the premature decay of fruit trees, with a view to their
preservation. To ascertain the best time of cutting forest trees, as
it respects the durability of the wood, under ground, or exposed to
the weather; also for fuel.
9th. A committee on irrigation and draining.--To ascertain the most
profitable times of irrigation, with its uses. Also, the best and
most effectual methods of constructing drains.
10th. A committee on Horticulture.--To ascertain the best and
most approved methods of managing kitchen gardens, attend to the
introduction of useful vegetables, modes of culture, &c.; and also
to promote good taste in the planning and arrangement of gardens
generally.
We further propose that the society recommend to each of its
practical members, regularly to enter in writing, the preparation
and state of the ground, at the time of sowing or planting each
crop, the quantity and kind of manure and seed per acre, particulars
relative to the weather, the process of culture, the times of sowing
and gathering, and the amount of produce per acre, with such other
particulars as may be thought worthy of notice, each part of which
to be annually laid before them, in order that such facts as are
deemed worthy of preservation, may be laid before the society.
Resolved, That the members of the society generally, and such
others as are friendly to the objects of the association, be
requested to furnish the several committees above named with such
information relative to the subjects for which they are appointed as
may be in their possession.