OPERATIONS OF THE BOARD. 263 



of the department. Thus the Board became the organ of 

 the farming community, being placed near and connected 

 with the government ; so that the whole legislation in refer- 

 ence to bounties, premiums, and general agricultural inter- 

 ests of the State, has been controlled or influenced by the 

 department ; and thus by its operations it was also brought 

 into friendly communication and reciprocal relations with 

 the various local agricultural associations of the Common- 

 wealth and country, dispensing to them, and receiving in 

 return, valuable information for the benefit of the public. 



Few are aware of the salutary influences which the Mas- 

 sachusetts Board of Agriculture has exercised on the farming 

 community and the public mind during the period of its 

 existence. An entire and complete change has taken place 

 in public opinion with regard to the paramount importance 

 of agricultural education. There are some here who remem- 

 ber, at the time of the organization of the Board, the great 

 prejudice which existed against what was then termed " book 

 farming ; " and there were but few papers or periodicals that 

 would boldly stand forth as champions of the cause. 



But, amidst all the discouragements, here was sustained 

 and cherished the first general efforts for the establishment of 

 an agricultural college, now so favorably known and appre- 

 ciated ; and here, ever since, it has been fostered and encour- 

 aged as one of the most important branches of education, 

 receiving the patronage of the government, and good will of 

 the people. Almost an entire revolution has taken place in 

 the received principles and practices of cultivation during the 

 existence of the Board ; and much of this can be traced to 

 the investigations of its members and the publication of 

 their experience, thus not only teaching each other, but mak- 

 ing the knowledge of one the property of all. 



And here it may be stated, that, twenty-five years ago, the 

 agricultural literature of the country was far from being 

 creditable to us. Most of the works of ability were reprints 

 of English publications, and were not generally read, or 

 adapted to our location. The Board has contributed largely 

 to the improvement of the agricultural literature of the 

 country, raising it to a much higher standard of merit, until 

 now it stands on a par with that of any other science. 



Among the labors of the Board it should also be remem- 



