THE COUNTRY MEETING. 9 



PUBLIC MEETING OF THE BOAED 



At FALL RIVER. 



The public meeting of the Board was held in the city of Fall 

 River, on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, November 21, 

 22 and 23, and was attended by most of the members, as well 

 as by quite a number of the farmers in the vicinity, though the 

 number was not so great as it probably would have been in a 

 more rural neighborhood. 



The meeting commenced at twelve o'clock, on Tuesday, in 

 the Music Hall, generously offered by Dr. Duefee for the use of 

 the Board. The Board was called to order by Dr. Durfee, as 

 Chairman of the Committee on Meetings, who delivered the 

 following address. 



Gentlemen of the Board of Agriculture : 



I understand it is customary on this our public meeting, for 

 the Chairman of the Committee of Arrangements to call the 

 meeting to order, and in his introductory remarks to refer to 

 such branches of industry, as may be calculated to give interest 

 to the occasion. 



I can say, gentlemen, it gives me great pleasure to welcome 

 you, and each of you, to our county, and especially to this 

 our city. I see among you many strong and tried friends of 

 agriculture, those who have been laboring for years to extend 

 a knowledge of this most important science among the yeomanry 

 of the State. And I rejoice to know, that you have not labored 

 in fain, nor spent your strength for naught. You are per- 

 mitted on this occasion to witness the fruit of your labors, 

 and rejoice to know that Massachusetts among other benefi- 

 cent institutions, has an Agricultural College, which has already 

 proved an honor to* the State. 



I might also speak of the many county societies and farmers' 

 clubs, which are diffusing intelligence among the masses. You 

 will expect, however, that on the present occasion I should 

 speak more particularly of my own county , — the county of 

 Bristol. 



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