THE 



TWENTY-EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT 



OP THE 



SEOEETAET 



BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



To the Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of 

 Massachusetts. 



The season under review was benignant and profitable to 

 the farmer. Good harvests, remunerative markets, healtli, 

 and satisfaction marked the year. 



Tlie annual fairs of the societies receiving the bounty of 

 the Commonwealth Avere conducted less with a view to 

 public amusement than usual, and consequently were more 

 beneficial to the interests of the farmers. 



The exhibitions of cattle and dairy products were above 

 the average ; the displays of vegetables, fruit, and flowers at 

 all the fairs were extensive and rich, while some were beauti- 

 ful beyond previous example. 



The reports of most of the societies show increased in- 

 terest, sounder financial position, and valuable results in 

 experiments, carefully made, in regard to the yield and cost 

 of crops. 



At the annual meeting of the Board of Agriculture, held 

 in 1878, it was ordered that each society receiving the bounty 

 of the Commonwealth should hold at least three farmers' 

 institutes within the year. Several of the societies were at 

 first apathetic and backward in conforming to this require- 

 ment, complaining of it as burdensome and superfluous; buf 



