96 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



in all parts of the State, and this will hereafter be made a more 

 prominent object of attention. A regular system of exchange, 

 by which plants, fruits, &g., which have been found to succeed 

 in one section, could be brought to the notice of the agricul- 

 turists of other localities, is highly desirable. Many very fine 

 seedling fruits, for instance, have, at different times, come to 

 my knowledge, which enjoy only a local reputation, not being 

 generally known even to horticulturists. Why should not every 

 improvement of this character be made to benefit all parts of 

 the State ? Why should not progress in one locality help on 

 progress in other places, and thus become a common advan- 

 tage ? If those who possess superior varieties, whether of 

 grains, vegetables, fruits or flowers, could but send them to 

 some central point for distribution to others, receiving an 

 equivalent or more than an equivalent in return, no harm 

 could accrue to any one, but there would be a decided advan- 

 tage to many. It is designed to effect this object as speedily as 

 possible, and the co-operation of all interested in the matter is 

 respectfully invited. 



During the past year, also, an effort has been made to call 

 attention more distinctly to the importance of preserving and 

 protecting many birds known to be useful to the farmer, but 

 which are often wantonly destroyed to the great injury, as it is 

 thought, of the whole community. The following circular was 

 addressed to individuals in various parts of the State, previous 

 to the last annual Fast : — 



State House, Boston, March. 26, 1855. 



Dear Sir, — There is a custom, very prevalent in many sections of 

 the State, of regarding the annual Fast as a holiday, and using it for 

 gunning and shooting. Many, thousands of our most useful and beau- 

 tiful birds, to none more useful than to the farmer, since they destroy 

 innumerable insects injurious to vegetation, are then sacrificed to the 

 wantonness and cruelty of those who know not what they do. Many 

 painful instances of this came to my knowledge a year ago, when 

 robins, bluebirds, sparrows, and other varieties of birds, which occa- 

 sionally visit us in early spring, were shot down without distinction 

 or mercy. 



I need not say that, apart from the pleasure and delight which these 

 innocent creatures afford, the injury done to the farmer, and to the 



