12 . BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



the end of this matter as they flattered themselves a year since. 

 If, with the millions at the command of the manufacturers of Rhode 

 Island they are at the present date besetting the halls of .Congress 

 for an appropriation "to procure certain machinery/' we need no 

 assurance that progress will not be rapid so far as it is open to the 

 public. 



However desirable it may bo, as times have changed — to bring 

 the flax culture back upon our farms, if its return is to be made de- 

 pendent on the restoration of the domestic habits and primitive 

 customs — the round of toil to which our mothers were subjected 

 (God blesS them,) then the people of Maine will never vote it back. 

 But when manufacturers ask for flax, the farmers of this as well as 

 the other free States, will listen to them. 



It would take a great breadth from our bread-producing acres, 

 to yield so much flax seed as to supply our wants for pffint-oil and 

 cake for feeding purposes. But the flax crop is so natural to our 

 soil and climate, that a change would be extensively made if a de- 

 mand should arise for flax straw. We might as well be dependent 

 on other States for a little more flour and corn as to be constantly 

 buying every gallon of drying oils that we use. 



Your Committee as at present advised, see no reason that the 

 Board should change its position on this topic, from that assumed 

 at the last session ; and that the words of a resolution passed by 

 the Board, January 2'7th, 1862, still remain as the best expression 

 that we have to offer to the formers of Maine. 



The resolution referred to is in these words : 

 • Resolved, That we invoke the aid of manufacturers, with the 

 capital and skill at their command, in placing our State in a con- 

 dition less dependent on foreign aid in regard to clothing ; and 

 when they shall be prepared to pay remunerating prices for flax in 

 the straw state, we pledge them that the soil of Maine and itfe cul- 

 tivators will generously respond to the demand. 



Mr. Haines offered the following paper on 



The Value of Pedigree. 



I assume that the Board clearly recognizes the value of purity of 

 blood 111 all efforts to improve our live stock and that in requiring 

 a report on the value of a recorded pedigree, the design is merely 

 to show how this is reliable evidence of the desired purity of blood 

 in the aitimal possessijig it. 



