332 BOARD OP AQRICULTURE. 



made satisfy me that at least some impression was made, — I 

 was endeavoring to show, that we need another type of experi- 

 ment, in which all the conditions will be carefully considered and 

 recorded. For that, we must look to the Agricultural College. 

 But there are experiments which farmers must try upon their own 

 farms. It was chiefly of scientific experimenting that I proposed 

 to speak. Practical experimenting may come more within the 

 scope of Prof. Brackett's lecture this evening. 

 Adjourned to 2 o'clock, P. M. 



ArTERooN Session. 



The Board met at 2 o'clock, Mr. Scamman, of Cumberland, in 

 the Chair. 



The session opened with an essay on Physical Geography, by Mr. 

 Thomas, one of the students of the' Agricultural College, which 

 was followed by exercises on the same subject, under the direction 

 of Prof. Fernald, in which the physical characteristics of North 

 and South America and Australia were described and explained 

 by Messrs. George, Gould, Hilliard and Norton. Several ques- 

 tions were put to the students and answered to the satisfaction of 

 the interrogators, and the entire exercises manifestly gave great 

 pleasure to all present. 



■ Evening Session. 



The Board met soon after seven o'clock, and the President 

 stated that the topic for consideration was "Progress of Agricul- 

 tural Science," and introduced Prof. Brackett, of Bowdoin Col- 

 lege, as the first speaker. 



Lecture by Prof. Brackett. 



Phonographically reported by J M. W. Yerrington. 



Mr. President and Gentlemen: — It will doubtless seem presump- 

 tuous in me to attempt to say anything on a subject as broad as 

 this appears to be in its enunciation. I will disclaim at the out- 

 set, being a prophet, or the son of a prophet ; I cannot predict 

 what is to be the future of agricultural science, but I am happy 

 to believe that you will be willing with me to resume the subject 

 of the morning, which was so ably treated by my friend Prof. 

 Goodale, and enter into a familiar discussion of it this evening. 



We are to discuss the "Progress of Agricultural Science." In 

 briefer language, the subject may be thus enunciated, — "The 

 Future of Agriculture." It is a truism for me to say, that the 



