ITS ORGANIZATION. 17 



elevation, remembered thnt man is but Antaeus, drawing 

 strength from the earth on which he treads ; let them remember 

 that it has been found easier to organize churches and schools 

 and found States, than it has been to construct a system of agri- 

 culture ; let them remember that the division of landed estates 

 and the modes of farming adopted by any people are as indic- 

 ative of their social condition as their churches and school- 

 houses — perhaps more so ; and if they are citizens of Massa- 

 chusetts, let them remember that around such an institution 

 stands an intelligent, inquiring, investigating, free and equal, 

 rural population, ready to seize and apply all the practical infor- 

 mation which the profoundest student can offer for their benefit, 

 and capable, moreover, of teaching, in some measure, those by 

 whom they are to be taught. 



I have said that every mode of improving agriculture by 

 process of mental discipline has had immediate reference to the 

 practical business of the farm. This is especially the case in 

 Massachusetts. The board of agriculture organized by Sir John 

 Sinclair was not more perfect in its design, than that established 

 in this State in 1852, and has since been in successful operation. 

 Every provision of the Acts defining the duties of this Board, 

 and bestowing conditional bounties on agricultural societies, is 

 marked by a thorough appreciation of the wants of the commu- 

 nity, and a true understanding of the best means of acquiring 

 and using agricultural knowledge. I think we cannot be too 

 grateful to those men who formed these Acts. Bearing in mind 

 that they provide for the intimate connection between the Board 

 and the government of the Commonwealth, through the gov- 

 ernor, lieutenant-governor and secretary of the Commonwealth, 

 we should also remember how they require the utmost vigilance 

 in observing and collecting all facts valuable to the farmer. The 

 Board is a representative body — a collection of delegates — one 

 from each agricultural society ; and these societies are so organ- 

 ized as to include every farm and accommodate every farmer in 

 the State. The Board is authorized, with its Secretary, to 

 " investigate such subjects relating to agriculture in this State 

 as they think proper ; " and as if to fix definitely the nature of 

 its duties, it is also empowered to " hold in trust, and exercise 

 control over donations or bequests made to them for promoting' 

 agricultural education." It is required to make a detailed 



