FOR PROMOTING AGKICULTURE. 29 



by the board to make due acknowledgement, winch he did, 

 writing from his residence in York, and with a graceful 

 compliment, considering then recent events, dated his let- 

 ter, July 4, 1796. He expressed the desire of the board 

 to cooperate with the society " in promoting objects so 

 eminently conducive to Ihe benefit and happiness of man- 

 kind." The letter was accompanied with publications of 

 the British board. 



The trustees responded with a vote of thanks for the 

 gifts, and they instructed the secretary to write to Mr. 

 Strickland, certifying to the vote, "and send him a small 

 cheese-mill, such as is used in this country." In June, 

 1797, a letter from Mr. Strickland was read in which he 

 states that he has received " a machine for breaking curds 

 in the manufacture of cheese," and says, U I make no doubt 

 that it will meet with the appreciation of the society of the 

 Board of Agriculture in England, as it appears to me to be 

 well calculated from its simplicity and efficacy to save 

 much trouble in the laborious and delicate operation of 

 cheese making.' 7 In September, 1797, a letter was received 

 from Sir John Sinclair, president of the Board of Agricul- 

 ture, acknowledging receipt of copies of the society's pub- 

 lications and a model of a u cheese-curd breaker " and 

 expressing the thanks of the board therefor. 



In April, 1796, occurred the decease of Hon. Thomas 

 Russell, the president, and at the annual meeting of that 

 year John Lowell was chosen to the chief office. Numer- 

 ous matters having a direct relation to agriculture were 

 considered and acted upon during the first eight years. 

 Among these was the formation of a library, for which the 

 most reputable and authoritative works on agriculture 

 were purchased, as issued. Many communications to the 

 society, recognized at once as of practical value, were 

 ordered to be published in the newspapers. In the list of 

 things wherein action was taken by publication or award 

 of premium are the following : An analysis of soils, that 

 the chemical qualities of good and poor soils being known, 



