42 THE MASSACHUSETTS SOCIETY 



month when he may expect the others to be present at his 

 house, to transact business and to accept his hospitalities. 

 The meetings have, therefore, always had a social as well 

 as a utilitarian intent. In reverting to the fraternal rela- 

 tions thus established, and the pleasure he had derived 

 thereby, Mr. Adams no doubt expresses a sentiment com- 

 mon to all who have ever been members of the board. 

 The following is his letter. 



QTJINCY, May 25, 1813. 

 Dear Sir : 



It is not with any enviable feelings that I find myself 

 under a necessity of addressing you at this time, and in 

 this manner, to request the favor of you to communicate 

 to our society my determination to retire- 



As my advanced age and indifferent health render it 

 impossible for me to attend the meetings of the society or 

 discharge the duties of my office with any regularity, I 

 decline the future election to the chair of the Society for 

 Promoting Agriculture. 



In taking a respectful and affectionate leave of the 

 Massachusetts Society for Promoting Agriculture, of their 

 trustees, and of the visitors of the professorship of 

 natural history and the botanical garden, I am bound in 

 duty to express the high sense I entertain of the honor 

 done me by repeated elections to their chair, and the 

 gratitude 1 feel for the pleasure I have had in their con- 

 versation in many of the most social and happy days of 

 my life. 



My best wishes attend the members for their health and 

 happiness, and sincere prayers for the promotion and 

 prosperity of agriculture and horticulture in Massachu- 

 setts and throughout the world. 



JOHN ADAMS. 



To DR. AARON DEXTER, 



Vice President, etc. 



The period immediately succeeding that now passed in 

 review was prolific in things novel in the way of sugges- 

 tion, experiment, invention and enterprise. Nor were 

 the earlier subjects neglected. Continued attention was 

 given in the society's publications, or by the offering 

 of premiums, to mulberry cultivation. Much foreboding 



