THE STATE FARM. 75 



and other items of interest and value. In short, it is designed 

 to make a collection which shall afford a perfect representation 

 of all the agricultural products of the State, and be of direct 

 practical value to all who desire to avail themselves of it. A 

 very considerable collection has already been made, but on 

 account of the failure of the last legislature to grant a trifling 

 sum asked for the purpose of furnishing the room intended for 

 its reception, with cases and other suitable fixtures, the number 

 of specimens is not so large as it would otherwise have been, 

 and they are not yet ready for exhibition. But there can be no 

 question of their exceeding and practical value. It is but a 

 few days since a very intelligent, practical farmer came in to 

 examine the grasses. AVe could show him nearly every variety 

 which grows in the State, and he confessed he had never before 

 fully understood the difference between fowl meadow and blue 

 joint. This is only an illustration of the good which may be 

 effected by this museum, for every farmer in the State can know 

 where to send to obtain any information he may desire, as to 

 any plant of whose name or properties he is ignorant. Such a 

 museum, moreover, would tend to elevate the Commonwealth 

 very much in the the opinion of all enlightened men, be a 

 source of just pride to the people, and the centre of attraction 

 at the State House. 



Some idea may be formed of the office correspondence neces- 

 sary for the attainment of these objects, — grown up almost en- 

 tirely within tlie last three years, and constantly increasing, — 

 when it is said that there are already on file over fifteen hundred 

 letters received, while a much larger number has been written, 

 copies of all of which are taken and preserved for future ref- 

 erence. During the time I have been in office, I have travelled 

 over thirty thousand miles by railway alone, on the business of 

 the Board, in attendance on fairs, farmers' clubs and associations, 

 to and from the State Farm, &c. 



The mere enumeration of these duties would seem to b.e 

 enough to satisfy any reasonable man wlio desired to know what 

 the Board was about. We have labored quietly and unosten- 

 tatiously, but hard and constantly, confident that the farmers of 

 the State would appreciate well-meant and well-directed efforts 

 to promote the progress of agriculture. I need hardly call your 

 attention to the fact that the members of the Board do not 



