SECRETARY'S REPORT. 239 



Worcester, Wm. Brigham, Jr. ; Warren, R. T. Gleason ; West 

 Boylston, C. Goodale ; West Brookficld, E. B. Taiutor. 



Replies were also received from many others in various sec- 

 tions, who omitted, inadvertently, to give their names. I am 

 also indebted to many individuals for imperfect specimens of 

 grasses, most of which were sent to be named. In such cases, 

 it is desirable to send complete specimens, taken up with the 

 root and stalk complete, and if possible, at the time of flower- 

 ing, since then is the only time at which many of the species 

 can be distinguished with absolute certainty. Grasses taken up 

 in clusters and dried in the shade, will retain their beautiful 

 green color, and arc convenient for examination, but if dried 

 between folds of soft or blotting paper, often changed at first, 

 till they are dry, they keep longer and better. 



I acknowledge with pleasure also, the receipt of a fine col- 

 lection of grasses systematically named and arranged, from 

 Prof. John Wilkinson, late of Great Barrington. Other speci- 

 mens of various kinds have been received from different indi- 

 viduals, for deposit in the museum connected with my office. 

 These will be arranged hereafter," or as soon as the room 

 designed for -them is suitably furnished, and will then bo 

 acknowledo-ed in due form. 



*n^ 



At a meeting of the Board of Agriculture held at the State 

 House, on the second of December, 1856, the several Commit- 

 tees on the State Farm, submitted their reports, wliich were 

 severally read, accepted and ordered to bo printed. 



The Committee on Labor, consisting of Messrs. Sprague and 

 Phillips, presented the following 



REPORT: 



All the labor on the farm has been performed under the supervision 

 of Dea. S. N. White, as head farmer. Fifteen men have been em- 

 ployed on the farm at different times during the year, of whom 

 twelve have been hired by the month and three by the day. The 

 largest number employed at any one time has been ten. 



In the first four months of the year commencing December 1st, 

 two men were employed by the month at 820 and board each, and 

 two at $28 each, including board. In April, May and June, eight 



