SECRETARY'S REPORT. 119 



very definite idea of the duties which would devolve upon this 

 body, nor of the work which it might accomplish, but with 

 confidence that it would stimulate agricultural enterprise, and 

 diffuse agricultural information, those who were interested in 

 this branch of business urged the organization of tl)is Board. 



With the work already accomplished, they and the community 

 liave every reason to be gratified. Tlie collection of a valuable 

 library, the establishment of a highly interesting museum, the 

 annual issue of a condensed and carefully arranged volume, 

 filled with information useful to every section of the State, 

 added to the encouragement which agricultural societies and 

 other associations have received, constitute the benefit which has 

 thus far accrued. And it should be remembered that all this 

 has been done with much industry, and with more skill than 

 usually attends a wholly experimental enterprise. 



The question now before us is, whether the operations of the 

 Board can be extended, or modified, or re-arranged, in such a 

 manner as to increase its usefulness and efficiency. If this is to 

 be done at all, it may be done by connecting the Board more 

 intimately with the various other organizations in the State, in 

 such a manner as to give efficiency to its exertions for the 

 improvement of agriculture, and for the general advancement 

 of our people in knowledge and enterprise ; and not by an 

 assumption of power over the agricultural societies in the State. 

 In the matter of agricultural education, can the State Board of 

 Agriculture co-operate with the Board of Education, in pre- 

 senting such education to the minds of youth in our common 

 schools, or in organizing an agricultural college ? In collecting 

 facts of value to the farming community, can the various public 

 institutions in the Commonweath, founded by the liberality of 

 the legislature, and endowed with land from the same source, 

 be called on to furnish information to the State Board of 

 Agriculture, and to co'rtduct experiments under its direction ? 

 Is there any method by which the Board of Agriculture can 

 obtain an effectual hearing on questions brought before the 

 legislature, relating to the various interests of farming, and to 

 the organization of agricultural societies ? Whatever can be 

 done to give the Board position and influence in this way would 

 add very materially to its usefulness. 



