SECRETARY'S REPORT. 115 



This consideration has too often been overlooked, and unde- 

 served discredit has thus been thrown on projects and theories 

 good in themselves, but which have not produced the anticipated 

 effect, merely because they were applied to circumstances and 

 situations to which they were in no way adapted. Because an 

 experiment fails on a soil entirely unlike that where it was first 

 made and succeeded, we should not infer that he who first tried 

 it was ignorant, or gave a false account of his experience ; yet 

 this hasty judgment is not uncommon. On the other hand, both 

 writers and experimenters would do well to remember, what 

 they now often forget, that by the confident assertion of theories 

 purporting to be of universal application, they will inevitably 

 lesson their own influence, while they retard the progress of 

 agriculture. The mode of treatment which would be advanta- 

 geous and profitable in Berkshire, may be expensive and ruinous 

 in Barnstable. The crops and general husbandry best adapted 

 to one situation may be wholly unsuited to another ; the ideas 

 of farming, the facilities for obtaining labor, and even the 

 animals, differ in different localities. 



It has been thought that if a tract of laud sufficiently large, 

 and with such a variety of soils as would make it convenient 

 for carrying on experiments, could be provided, the Board of 

 Agriculture would be able to do something by which these evils 

 might be gradually remedied, and the wants of the farming 

 community supplied. No provision has, as yet, been made to 

 enable the Board to direct special attention to this subject. 



Massachusetts was one of the first governments, if not the 

 first, in this country, which attempted to aid the progress of 

 agriculture by legislative enactments. As early as 1630, her 

 bounty began in premiums offered for the raising of horses, 

 cows, swine and goats, for the promotion of agriculture. 

 During the last thirty years, this bounty has been increasing 

 and always liberal. Other States have not been slow to imi- 

 tate or rival her in generous endeavors to promote the success 

 of an interest on which the prosperity and happiness of their 

 people so largely depend. 



No means are at hand showing the comparative encourage- 

 ment afforded to agriculture by the different States. 



The amount paid, or to be paid, from the treasury of this 



