8 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



a particular portion of State property, in the shape of a 

 farm, should be managed by a body of men chosen almost 

 entirely by the farmers themselves, to act for and to represent 

 them, than by a body of men appointed for an object entirely 

 distinct? Tlije importance of experiment, so far as might 

 be practicable, had, it is true, some weight in inducing the 

 Board to assume the charge of the farm ; but it was not 

 designed to make a model or experimental farm, as that term 

 is commonly understood ; the experiments whicli it might be 

 found possible to make being wholly subordinate to the chief 

 objects for which the farm was connected with the institution, 

 which were to supply in part the wants of the School, and to 

 afford the means of out-door exercise for the boys, where at the 

 same time, they miglit be taught the routine of farm labor. 

 These objects have been kept constantly in view. 



The appropriation made for the farm is not spent for experi- 

 ment, and it might almost be said that not a dollar has ever 

 been spent by the Board for experiment on the farm ; the cost 

 of the experiments consisting mainly in the additional care and 

 closeness of observation which they require, the amount of 

 which in direct expense to the State is comparatively insig- 

 nificant. 



Tlie trustees of the State Reform School and the Board of 

 Agriculture have acted in entire harmony, and in a manner 

 believed to be most conducive to the interests of the State. 



The members of the Board of Agriculture have no personal 

 interest to serve in the management of the farm. They are not 

 authorized by law to receive pay even for the time and labor 

 which they devote to it. 



This brief explanation seemed to be necessary, because an 

 erroneous impression exists in the minds of some in regard to 

 the subject. 



A more complete statement of facts with regard to the origi- 

 nal transfer, will be found in ray Second and Third Annual 

 Reports, which contain copies of the original contract and the 

 law by authority of which it was effected. 



In pursuance of the plan adopted on entering iipon the duties 

 of my office, — of making some specific subject the main topic 

 of discussion in each of my Annual Reports, — I propose to speak 



