264 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



bered that it early instituted an elaborate series of farm 

 experiments. 



It originated the law for the protection of sheep, which 

 has also been adopted by many other States. 



It effected legislation for the organization and encourage- 

 ment of farmers' clubs, which are now so popular and useful. 



Twenty years ago it was difficult to get an audience of 

 farmers to listen to the most distinguished scientific men, 

 like Agassiz and Johnson: now farmers will go great dis- 

 tances to hear lectures from such men upon agriculture. 



It originated the law for the inspection of fertilizers, and 

 appointed the State agricultural chemist. 



And, as a crowning glory, it arrested the progress of that 

 dreadful scourge, the pleuro-pneumonia, and extirpated it from 

 our State. Had it not been for the united and persistent 

 action of the Board, it probably would here, as in Europe, 

 have devastated not only our own, but other States, at a loss 

 of hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of dollars. But 

 who that is cognizant of these facts can doubt that this action 

 of the Board with reference to that disease was worth more 

 to the State and the country than many times the cost of 

 our department from the beginning, or the expenses of sus- 

 taining it longer than any of us shall live ? 



In regard to the influence of the Board we have a striking 

 illustration of the power of association as stated by Mr. 

 Webster. " The great truth of the present generation," 

 said he, " is that public improvements are brought about by 

 voluntary combinations and associations," So it has been in 

 the operations of this Board. 



It has brought together from time to time a band of the 

 most intelligent, practical, and scientific co-workers that the 

 State possessed, and it is to this centralization that we are 

 much indebted for the progress we have made. If any one 

 doubts this, let him examine the reports of the Secretary for 

 the last quarter of a century, and I think he will have his 

 doubts removed. 



With the Report now in press there will have been pub- 

 lished twenty-five yearly volumes, containing more than 

 sixteen thousand pages of matter pertaining to agriculture 

 and kindred pursuits, including numerous engravings of 

 cattle, horses, swine, farm-implements, and other illustra- 

 tions, some of which are of high character as works of art. 



