18 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



full notes of the character, previous treatment and present con- 

 dition of the soil, the preparation of the seed, the mode and ex- 

 pense of cultivation, its daily or weekly progress, the parasites 

 which harm it, the changes of the thermometer and barometer, 

 the deficiency or surplus of rain, the character and effect of 

 drainage, together with such other incidents or accidents as may 

 be observed. New seeds, plants, trees, fertilizers, tools and 

 implements are to be tried, good ones proved and humbugs ex- 

 posed. Here too is to be demonstrated the great fact that agri- 

 culture affords an ample field for the development of all the 

 powers of the most cultivated minds, and also the value of science 

 and intelligence when applied to practical labor upon the farm. 

 These experiments are to be published in the agricultural reports 

 and will be available to all the farmers and gardeners of the State. 

 All that will be necessary for a farmer to do, to avail himself of 

 the knowledge thus gained, will be to take an inventory of his 

 resources of cash, soil, climate, patience, pluck and backbone, 

 and then after carefully studying these several "experiments, de- 

 cide what course will be most for his interest to pursue, and he 

 can go forward with a well defined and intelligent purpose, feeling 

 reasonably sure of success. 



This is but one of the good results which are sure to follow the 

 successful operation of this institution, which we believe is to be 

 the nucleus around which will gather, and in harmony with which 

 will be prosecuted, all the various industrial interests of our State, 

 and which is to prove still more clearly the great fact that there is 

 necessarily no antagonism or conflict of* interest between the 

 several branches of productive labor, but only that wholesome 

 emulation as to who shall best fill the position in which Providence 

 has called him to exercise his physical and mental abilities. 



This institution I look upon as not only a necessity and a real 

 economy, but as a finality, for I believe it is destined to rise and 

 expand and send forth its streams of scientific and practical knowl- 

 edge, till its influence shall be felt and its good work appreciated 

 throughout the whole length and breadth of our beloved common- 

 wealth, from Kittery to Madawaska, and from the head waters of 

 the Magalloway to Passamaquoddy bay. And long after we shall 

 have closed our earthly labors and been laid to rest in the bosom 

 of mother earth, it shall continue to open up to those who shall 

 come after us, sources of knowledge and improvement, which, if 



