84 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



Let lis now consider for a moment the actual cost in money 

 of the State Farm — though time would fail me to compare it 

 with other expenditures, which to say the least, are of doubtful 

 utility. How much per cent, do you suppose the appropraition 

 asked for the State Farm, but not granted, would have added 

 to the State tax for the year 1856 ? Just one-millionth part of 

 one per cent., and no more. The whole amount appropriated 

 for payment to the county agricultural societies, for the Board 

 of Agriculture, and the State Farm, put together, would make 

 a tax of less than thirty-thrcc-millionths per cent. If a man were 

 taxed on an estate valued at five thousand dollars, he would 

 pay but sixteen and one-half cents for all these agricultural 

 objects together. 



In conclusion, I desire to present only one other view. The 

 State Farm must be conducted some way or other, and its 

 expenses must be l)e borne by the State. If the Board of 

 Agriciilture do not manage it, the Trustees of the State Reform 

 School must. Great improvements are necessary to 'enlarge 

 and develop its capacities, that it may be able to meet the 

 wants of the School ; and if the sum required for the purpose 

 is not furnished to the Board it must be added to the amount 

 appropriated for the School. The question, then, is not whether 

 there shall be an appropriation, but merely to whom it shall be 

 made and by whom expended. I think no one who can candidly 

 examine the whole subject and consider the facts and arguments 

 I have presented, can doubt that the present arrangement is one 

 of true economy to the Commonwealth in every point of view, 

 since even if no good shall arise from the experiments carried 

 on at the Farm, — which is hardly possible, — the expense is no 

 greater now than it would be under other management. 



And now, farmers of Massachusetts, I appeal to you to sus- 

 tain, encourage and cooperate with the Board of Agriculture. 

 Remember there can be no good representative without a good 

 constituency, for it is their confidence and support that give 

 hmi his strongest moral power, that encourage his hand and 

 cheer his heart. You farmers are the constituents of the Board 

 of Agriculture, for its members are chosen by you to act for 

 and to represent you, and the only reward they have for their 

 time and their service is the consciousness of doing something 

 to promote the mutual welfare of us all. 



