THE STATE FARM. 77 



to subject only a small part of it to experiments of various 

 kinds, which could be conducted there without expense to the 

 Commonwealth, though some of them were of such a nature as 

 to be beyond the means of individual enterprise. Under the 

 influence of these considerations, both the trustees and the 

 Board of Agriculture signed a petition to the legislature of 

 1854, to transfer the farm into the hands of the Board, and to 

 appropriate the sum of six thousand dollars for permanent im- 

 provements and to meet the current expenses of the farm. 

 This was the sum which in the opinion of the trustees would be 

 required to make what permanent improvements were then 

 greatly needed, and of this sum, over four thousand dollars were 

 devoted to such improvements. 



It is not necessary for me to enter into all the details of the 

 management of the farm, explaining how we hire of the institu- 

 tion one hundred and fifty boys, for six hours each day, to work 

 on the farm, where they are taught the daily routine of farm 

 labor ; how we purchase of the institution all the food for from 

 seventy-five to one hundred swine, and supply it in return with 

 milk, vegetables, and other farm products ; and do with our 

 teams much of the teaming for the institution, keeping a debt 

 and credit account for the sake of knowing how we stand, 

 though as both the institution and the Board of Agriculture are 

 children of the State, it matters not in point of economy on 

 which side the balance is. I wish every farmer could go there 

 and examine for himself. I know he would be satisfied and 

 convinced that the farm was well managed. I know he would 

 see no signs of extravagance or injudicious expenditure incurred 

 since the Board took charge of it. Yet the Board has had to, 

 contend with prejudice, misrepresentation and falsehood, which, 

 springing originally from the smallest and most insignificant 

 channel, soon winged its way from lip to lip, gathering strength 

 by exaggeration, till it seriously embarrassed the successful 

 prosecution of a truly noble, practicable and judicious public 

 enterprise. 



It has been said that the trustees of the State Reform School 

 did not cordially approve the arrangement, and this statement 

 has at times been diligently circulated by the enemies of the 

 school and the farm. It is totally false, and has not the slightest 

 foundation in fact, every member of the board of trustees being 



