218 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



such branches of agriculture are becoming more and more 

 important, and a faithful attention to these might be made to 

 increase the resources of the farm. 



AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENTS. 



It seems, also, that practical experiments might be constant- 

 ly made with difl'erent fertilizers, crops and soils, and their 

 results generally published in popular form in our newspapers 

 and journals for the benefit of our whole farming community. 

 Such experiments, if reliable, would be a source of great 

 satisfaction to the farmer and often save him much disappoint- 

 ment and loss. 



RAISING rORESTr-TREES. 



It is also recommended that some instruction be given in 

 forestry, both theoretically and practically, and that special 

 attention be paid to the raising of forest-trees from seed, their 

 care and treatment in the nursery, their permanent planting 

 in various portions of the farm, and the subsequent care of 

 the plantations. 



The time is not far distant when every farmer in the country 

 will, in his own interest, be obliged to give some attention to 

 the subject of tree-planting, and such a course as is here 

 recommended will be of advantage to the students, and to the 

 State at large. Similar considerations ajjply to the raising of 

 fruit-trees. 



A nursery of reliable standard fruit-trees, adapted to one 

 section, ought to be a source of some income to the insti- 

 tution. 



GARDEN SEEiDS. 



It seems, also, that the raising of pure and reliable seed for 

 farm and garden crops might be added to the products of the 

 farm, without materially increasing its expenses. When the 

 Massachusetts Agricultural College has acquired the reputa- 

 tion of sending out the best and purest seed in the market, 

 she will add to the many obligations which, the farmers of' 

 Massachusetts ought to feel for her, and still more interest 

 them in her welfare. 



Another minor item of expense may perhaps be worthy of 

 attention, whether the present rate of compensation to the 



