46 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Jan., 



appropriations. We have improved under State assistance, 

 directly and indirectly, about five hundred miles, and I be- 

 lieve that if all which can be traced to the good done by the 

 State since the beginning- of the movement was shown, we 

 would have nearly one thousand miles. Some of our little 

 towns where only a small amount of money was used have 

 improved the poorest sections, such as a bad hill which had 

 formerly existed; have reclaimed the swamps, and made in 

 this way a first-class highway for a little money. I don't be- 

 lieve, as some people have taken occasion to say, that it will 

 take fifty years to get this State into a fair condition with 

 respect to its roads. 



I dare say that if the State makes the same wise discrim- 

 ination that it has made during the last ten years, in the next 

 ten, our little State will be in good condition with respect to 

 its highways, and fully as much so as any State in the Union. 



In conclusion, I desire to add my tribute to the work of 

 former Boards of Agriculture, and also to the present Board, 

 for their earnest efiforts and self-denial in the work placed in 

 their hands. 



The President. It is very possible that you may wish to 

 ask some questions of our commissioner before he retires, 

 and you have the privilege of doing so now. 



Mr. HiNMAN. The commissioner knows that I am a 

 missionary in good roads. When I heard Governor McLean 

 in his introductory address I thought, as I believe every one 

 here has thought who has attended conventions of this kind for 

 the last thirty-six years, that that was one of the finest ad- 

 dresses we have ever heard. 



There is one thing about road building in our country 

 towns, and that is, you must understand when you go out into 

 the highway in the back towns, you must figure within a 

 thousand dollars. Their means are limited, and you must get 

 your estimate within three figures. Now, I have built a little 

 road which has worn remarkably well. I want this con- 

 vention to understand that everybody, big men and little men, 

 appreciate a good road. I happen to hold here some testi- 



