FOR PROMOTING AGRICULTURE 49 



nary), thereby entering upon a radically different but 

 most effective method of diffusing agricultural knowl- 

 edge, the method of "object teaching." 



In this retrospect one event already mentioned may 

 briefly be dwelt upon, since it will recall, with special 

 distinctness and amid interesting circumstances, a 

 historic figure, and will permit, in the way of preface, 

 reference to a practice on the part of the board of 

 trustees which has been kept up from the earliest years 

 to the present time. The event was the retirement of 

 John Adams from the presidency of the society, and 

 the practice is that to which he alludes in his letter of 

 farewell, the holding of business meetings at the resi- 

 dences of members. There being twelve members of 

 the board, the custom in recent times has been to 

 designate, at the beginning of the year, for each mem- 

 ber, the particular 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 relations thus 

 established, and the pleasure he had derived thereby, 

 Mr. Adams no doubt expresses a sentiment common to 

 all who have ever been members of the board. The 

 following is his letter. 



QuiNCY, 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 com- 

 municate 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 regu- 



