INTRODUCTION. . XXV 



economy, and among thelbushels of chaff gathered, there have been many- 

 grains of gold — essays and papers, discussions and recommendations, 

 practices and precepts, which have been worthy of any State or institu- 

 tion, and of specific interest and value to our citizens and the community. 

 It is useless to attempt to enumerate the subjects of special importance 

 which from time to time have occupied the attention of the Board, for 

 time and space would fail even if memory would allow. There is no sec- 

 tion of the State, where our sessions have been held, but that seemed to 

 require that some specific subject adapted perhaps to its special needs 

 should.be discussed and dwelt upon, and the Board has never failed to do 

 its duty in the premises. Thus for Aroostook it may have been stock- 

 raising and dairying, for Somerset, sheep husbandry, for Androscoggin, 

 fruit-growing — for one place the hay crop, for another root-culture, &c., 

 &c., as may have appeared to be best adapted to or required in the com- 

 munity, and in every case we have done our duty by acting according to 

 the light that was in us. 



The power of saying how a certain portion of the State stipend paid 

 annually to county agricultural societies, should be spent, having been 

 delegated to the Board, special attention for a term of years has been 

 given to the subject and the objects for which these special premiums have 

 been oftered have been such as to promote the best interests of agriculture, 

 both specifically and generally. Among these objects were : — Farmers' 

 Clubs, Underdraining, Native Apple Nurseries, Thoroughbred Stock, 

 Wheat Growing. Agricultui'al Libraries, &c., and the result of the specific 

 premiums, especially those running through a term of years, has been 

 entirely satisfactory. We need have no hesitation in saying for example, 

 that the stimulus given to wheat raising in Maine, by the premiums offered 

 by agricultural societies under directions from the Board, have resulted 

 in the increased amount sown and grown for several years and especially 

 the excellent crop this year, which will keep enough money at home, that 

 otherwise would have been sent out of the State for bread, to pay the 

 expenses of this body for half a centurj'. 



In this connection I regret to saj^ that the character of the annual exhi- 

 bitions of our county societies has failed to keep pace with improvements 

 made in other departments of agriculture. With a few most Avorthy ex- 

 ceptions they have lately been comparative failiires. The term ' agricul- 

 tural horse trot,' formerly applied to them iu jest, has become too true in 

 too many cases. I am glad to say the Board has generally been on the 

 riglit side in regard to the tendency to make our Fairs simply horse races, 

 but I feel Ave have not spoken loud enough or Avith sufficient earnestness. 

 I think I can perceiA'^e a growing tendency among our best farmers in 

 opposition to horse racing and its necessary vicious concomitants at our 

 Fairs, both State and county, and I hope to see the time Avhen it shall be 

 entirely disconnected fi'om them. 



Not only has the range of subjects treated by the Board been AA'ide and 

 varied as is our State, but not a fcAV ncAv, and at first thought seemingly 

 original and apparently startling theories and propositions have been 



