282 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



There was also a general expression of confidence in the 

 good judgment, discretion and high character of the officers of 

 agricultural societies, in whose hands it was thought safe to let 

 the whole matter rest, and who, it was presumed, were fully 

 competent to put all necessary restrictions upon this part of 

 their exhibitions. 



The siiperintending committee of the State Farm for the 

 coming year was constituted ])y appointing Messrs. Wilder, 

 French, Tower, Newell, Brooks, Bartlett, Chandler and Lewis. 



It was voted, That the. committee on crops procure cuttings 

 of the osier willow, sufficient for a small plantation, l)y way of 

 experiment, with reference to furnishing materials for the 

 future employment of boys. 



The practicability and economy of purchasing additional land 

 for the State Farm, was strongly .urged by the various commit- 

 tees having charge of the farm. The importance of supplying 

 the inmates of the State Reform School with milk, was appar- 

 ent to every one. The number of cows which the farm could 

 now keep, in addition to the other stock which was indispensable 

 for carrying it on, did not exceed twenty or twenty-five, whereas 

 it was for the advantage of the State to keep at least fifty or 

 seventy-five. The greatest quantity of milk which could be fur- 

 nished now, at any one time, even in the height of the flow, did 

 not exceed fifty gallons a day, which was wholly inadequate to 

 meet the wants of six hundred and fifty individuals in the most 

 economical manner. It was, therefore, voted to give the com- 

 mittee already appointed for the purpose of applying to the 

 legislature for the usual appropriation for the farm, discretion- 

 ary power to apply also for an appropriation sufficient to pvir- 

 chase certain adjoining lands, after suitable bonds should have 

 been procured for their sale. 



The subjects alluded to above, and discussions upon many 

 other matters, chiefly preliminary in their character, the results 

 of which will be reported hereafter, have occupied the attention 

 of the Board during the past year. 



One of the most encouraging signs of the times is the earnest 

 and wide spread desire of becoming thoroughly acquainted with 

 the principles and improved practices of agriculture, which 

 now seems to pervade not only our farming population, but 



