* SECRETARY'S REPORT. 209 



let the animals grown upon it be distributed, by lot or otherwise to 

 the societies, or be sold at auction on suitable conditions, and he 

 urges with much force, that although it might involve a larger outlay 

 at first, that it would be more economical in the end, to say nothing 

 of its being more uniform, beneficial and permanent in its results 

 than could be any spasmodic or temporary efforts in the same direc- 

 tion. 



The farm, too, might be, so far as circumstances would allow, a 

 pattern farm and a field for experiments, or if not so at first, it 

 might, if found successful as a stock farm, be expanded by gradual 

 and healthy development, until the institution assume the form and 

 style which future experience may dictate as best suited to our 

 necessities, whether a stock farm alone, or a model farm in connec- 

 tion with it, or a farm school, or something else. What objections 

 Messrs. 0., P., Q., or their associates, might urge to this, I cannot 

 say ; for none of any magnitude occur to me at this moment, and 

 it strikes me as combining more promise of successful issue with 

 fewer disadvantages than any other, and I have never known the 

 proposition brought up just in this form ; but as a plan substantially 

 similar in many of its features was recommended by the Board in 

 1853, and did not go into operation, it undoubtedly then got the 

 cold shoulder somewhere, although taking into account the great 

 increase of interest felt throughout the State in agricultural pro- 

 gress, it is very possible that some such plan might now receive more 

 favorable consideration, and be carried into execution; for there seems 

 to be no doubt that a wide spread and deeply seated conviction exists, 

 that some decided move should be not only attempted, but something 

 of importance accomplished. The progress made in years past is, in 

 a good degree, traceable to judicious and liberal legislative action, and 

 warrants the hope that the present increasing rapidity of advance 

 may suffer no diminution for lack of its continuance. 



Let me here repeat a suggestion made in the last report, regarding 

 the importance and value of town and neighborhood associations of 

 farmers for mutual improvement, by the discussion of matters per- 

 taining to their common interests. Should one or more of these be 

 formed in every town in the State, with a determination to hold 

 weekly meetings during the winter, whether there be many or few 

 at the start, they will be sure to grow in numbers and in interest > 

 14 



