24 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



the trotting horse oflf the ground. But I repeat, that we have 

 seen this practice carried to an undue extent, I think ; with us, 

 especially. 



The gentleman last up seems to consider it the duty of the 

 officers of the several societies to regulate this' matter, and per- 

 haps they ought to do so ; but I understand it to be the duty of 

 the Board of Agriculture to regulate the societies. Doubtless it 

 was the delinquency of the societies in regard to the premiums for 

 wheat that induced the Board to take action in relation to that 

 matter. They noticed, also, that there was a lack in regard to the 

 formation of Farmers' Clubs, and they took that matter in hand, 

 and the result is doing good in our section of the State. I do not 

 know that the time has arrived when legislation is necessary upon 

 this matter of horse trots, but I have been thinking whether or no 

 the Board, at some time or other, would not have this duty to 

 perform. 



Secretary Goodale. The gentleman labors under a misappre- 

 hension as to the province of the Board of Agriculture. It has 

 no authority to " regulate " the societies in the way to which he 

 alludes. It is competent for the Board to direct for what purposes 

 and objects a portion, not exceeding one-half, of the State bounty 

 shall be expended, and this authority has sometimes been exer- 

 cised, as in the cases to which he has alluded, but in regard to 

 operations of societies farther than this, the Board can only ofler 

 suggestions and recommendations, which the societies can accept 

 and act upon or not, as they please. 



Mr. Bodge of Jefferson. As raising horses is one branch of 

 farming, I consider it a benefit to the farmer, sometimes, to go to 

 a horse trot and see the style of the different horses, so that, if he 

 is going to raise a colt, he will know where to look for a sire. It 

 is important to have a good-gaited, stylish horse. If we go to a 

 trot, we can see the style and learn the speed of the horses, and 

 by that means secure the service of a sire for our breeding mares 

 that will probably produce a similar animal. We need a good 

 horse as well as a good yoke of oxen or a good cow. Every farm- 

 er wishes to have a good horse or a good span of horses, and if we 

 can see the style and gait of stud horses, I consider it an advant- 

 age to the fanning community. 



Mr. Whittier of Vienna. I recollect attending, when a boy, the 

 first agricultural exhibition ever held in the State, and since then 

 I have watched with some interest the progress of agricultural 



