94 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



to show us what he felt were some of the pleasures of the 

 farmer's life : — 



" farmers 1 fortunate indeed are ye, 

 If all the blessings of your lot ye see, 

 For "whom, far off from all the strife of war, 

 The kindly earth pours forth a bounteous store. 

 What if you dwell not in a palace high, 

 Where haughty gates attract the passers-by ; 

 Whose doors are studded with the tortoise rare ; 

 Whose tapestries of gold and bronzes fair, 

 White linen colored with Assyrian blue, 

 And rich perfumes, adorn the chambers through ? 

 Yours is a peaceful lot, a life where hours 

 Are never troubled by deceitful cares. 

 Varied the wealth you own in fertile land, 

 Studded with lakes and caves and valleys cold, 

 Where, 'neath a tree, sleep seeks your mind to hold 

 While kine are lowing gently far away. 

 Your homes are blessed with honest toil alway ; 

 Your sons have learned to want but little here, 

 And strive both God and parents to revere. 

 When Justice left this world for heaven's dome, 

 She spent her lingering moments in your home." 



Georgics, bk. ii. 1. 458-475. 



SECOND DAY. 



The meeting was called to order at ten o'clock by H. C. 

 Comtns, Esq., of North Hadley. He said, — 



Gentlemen of the Board of Agriculture, — It is 

 a source of pleasure to me to see so large an attendance 

 upon this country meeting of the Board. I am glad to see 

 so jnany, in this beautiful town in the Connecticut Valley, 

 gathered to hear our discussions. We have assigned almost 

 the entire day to topics connected with the dairy interest. 

 It is one of vital importance to this locality, to the State, 

 and to the New-England States. We endeavor to secure the 

 best talent that comes within our reach to address us upon 

 the several subjects presented at these meetings. I have 

 the honor of introducing to you the Hon. E. H. Hyde of 

 Connecticut. 



