Xxiv BOARD CWF AURICULTURE. 



England, and the second by Mr. Gerring of the same place. 

 These animals were imported and are owned by Gen. Mattocks. 

 Among the papers presented at the meeting of the Board, 

 at Presque Isle, not given in the body of the report, was one 

 containing a review of the past ten years of the Board, by 

 Mr. Brackett, one of the Members at Large, and who has 

 occupied a seat during this period, from which the following 

 extracts are made : 



'•The system of meetings of the Board has been radically changed dur- 

 ing the past ten years, and the change, unlike many others, has been an 

 improvement. Onr sessions are nOAV held semi-annually instead of an- 

 nually, and at difterent sections of the State instead of at one place, so 

 that whatever advantages may be derived from them, all portions of the 

 State are equally favored. Their character has also been modified, im- 

 proved and enlarged, and, like this session, they partake of the plan of a 

 farmers' convention more than of a formal body, and all interested are 

 cordially invited to participate in the meeting and discussions. I acknowl- 

 edge, at first I was not favorably inclined to the plan of 'putting the Board 

 on wheels,' as the change was termed by one of our facetiously-inclined 

 members, but experience has made me its advocate, and entirely satisfied. 

 This plan carried the meeting to Fryeburg a year ago, to Calais not long 

 since, and brought us here to-daj'. thus traversing the extremes of our 

 noble State and giving all sections and all farmers and persons interested 

 an opportunity to participate in the proceedings — to give and receive, and 

 to obtain the benefits and advantages if there are any accruing from the 

 sessions. I think the wisdom of the change has been fully established. 



Another notable change for the better, which has occurred during the 

 past t6n years, is the addition of the scientific members from the colleges 

 to the Board, thus adding an element of strength and interest hitherto 

 wanting, in a large degree, and uniting learning and experience and theory 

 and practice in one body. A direct connection has also been eftected 

 Tietweeu the State College of Agriculture and the Board, by which we see 

 members of its faculty and its students with us taking part in the exercises 

 of the session. In ftict. the College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts has 

 been one of the growths of the past ten years. The long and somewhat 

 fierce struggle which resulted in establishing it a separate institution and 

 thus giving it a chance and right to be something, and made it what it is, 

 is still fresh in our minds, and I am glad to remember the Board took the 

 right view of the matter and spoke with no uncertain sound. The farmers 

 and mechanics of Maine should congratulate themselves that their college 

 has been fairly inaugurated under such adverse circumstances, and that 

 it is. so far, so well meeting and sustaining the hopes and expectations of 

 those who have labored in its behalf. 



During these ten years the Board has discussed and dealt with a large 

 immber and variety of subjects pertaining to agricultural practice and 



