262 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



recording secretaries, "with three delegates from each of the 

 incorporated societies. At a meeting of the Central Board 

 of Agriculture, Jan. 14, 1852, it was resolved to petition the 

 Legislature in the following resolution : — 



" Resolved, That, inasmuch as agriculture is the chief occupation of 

 her citizens, the Commonwealth, in the organization of her government, 

 should be provided with a department of agriculture, with offices com- 

 mensurate with the importance of the duties to be discharged, and the 

 labors to be performed." 



This action resulted in the establishment of the present 

 State Department, which succeeded the Central Board of 

 Agriculture. 



This Act was passed in the session of 1852 ; and Mr. Flint 

 entered upon his duties as Secretary of the Board in Febru- 

 ary, 1853, wliich office he has filled with signal ability and 

 fidelity for a quarter of a century, and with honor to the 

 Commonwealth, having fully justified the unqualified in- 

 dorsement of Hon. Edward Everett, president of Harvard 

 College at the time of his graduation, who earnestly recom- 

 mended Mm for election. 



One of the best things which Massachusetts has ever done 

 to advance the cause of agriculture was the creation of this 

 Department of Agriculture, and locating the office of the sec- 

 retary at the Capitol. This has been a source of great con- 

 venience to the public, as reliable information can there be 

 obtained from the best sources, and where the secretary is 

 always at his post. This centre of information has become 

 of great inportance, where persons have been put in com- 

 munication with one another, so as to be able to obtain par- 

 ticidar classes of stock, positions on farms, as foremen, &c. 

 It is a convenience to both parties. This, in future, will be 

 more recognized and appreciated. 



By the Act constituting the State Board, all the duties 

 which had been performed by the secretary of state in 

 regard to agricultural matters now devolved on the secre- 

 tary of the Board of Agriculture. This new and independ- 

 ent system of operations was established, whereby the 

 secretary became the chief officer and organ of the Board, 

 on whom has devolved ever since the duty of digesting the 

 returns of the societies, and of preparing the annual volume 



