iy PREFACE. 



formity to the letter of the law in tliis respect ; for the reason that a 

 strict enforcement of it would of necessity result in returns far more 

 meagre than they now are, owing to the difficulty of getting full and 

 elaborate reports from committees at so early a day. Indeed, the chief 

 object of these returns — that of obtaining and diffusing valuable infor- 

 mation among the people in all parts of the State — would have been 

 defeated by a rigid adherence to the requirement. 



On the other hand, the Secretary of the Board is required by law to 

 send to the legislature a full estimate of the appropriations required for 

 bounties to the agricultural societies, on or before the 15th of January 

 of each year ; and to enable him to certify that societies have complied 

 with the law, and with the regulations of the State Board, it is impos- 

 sible to extend the time allowed for printing, &c, later than that date. 



Renewed efforts should be made on the part of the societies to extend 

 their usefulness to the public, and increased exertions to impart infor- 

 mation of some value to the community, not merely of their own 

 locality, but of the whole Commonwealth. This is the grand object 

 which the State has in view in its continued efforts to develop its agri- 

 cultural resources by the offer of liberal bounties. The publications of 

 a society, properly prepared and generously distributed, are now, as they 

 always have been, the best means of communication with the public; 

 and money judiciously expended for printing is the best investment it 

 can make. 



More care is also required in the supervision of statements made by 

 individuals. A very large number of statements have been omitted in 

 the preparation of this Abstract for the want of greater definiteness. 

 The term " load," for example, has no definite general meaning. In a 

 particular locality, where it is used, it may be understood ; but it con- 

 veys no clear idea to the mind of a reader in another locality. The 

 secretaries of the various societies can exercise such a general super- 

 vision as to secure greater minuteness of statement, and thus add to 

 the usefulness of their Reports. 



C. L. FLINT. 



Boston, Jan. 23, 18G7. 



