PUBLIC MEETING OF THE BOAED 

 AT SPEINGFIELD. 



The Country Meeting of the Board was held at Spring- 

 field, at City Guard Hall, on December 6, 7 and 8. The 

 meeting was called to order at ten o'clock, on Tuesday, 

 December 6, by Secretary Sessions, a good audience being 

 in attendance. 



Secretary Sessions. The hour has arrived for calling this 

 meeting to order, and as we are here at the invitation of the 

 Hampden County Agricultural Society, allow me to intro- 

 duce to you the President of that Society, Hon. George 

 S. Taylor. 



INTRODUCTORY REMARKS BY MR. GEORGE S. TAYLOR. 



Gentlemen of the Massachusetts Board of Agr^icultia'e, — 

 It gives me pleasure, representing our society, to welcome 

 you here to-day, and although it may be out of the usual 

 course, still, as we all recognize a Supreme Being, the 

 Author and Giver of all our blessinsjs and comforts, I will 

 ask the Rev. Dr. Burnham to lead us in prayer. 



A fervent and appropriate prayer was offered by Rev. 

 Michael Burnham, D. D. 



Mr. Taylor. Your secretary has introduced me, but as 

 it will be impossible for me to be present at all your meet- 

 ings, and as our local society is represented on your Board 

 by a gentleman eminently litted to perform the duties of 

 presiding officer, I desire to give place to him. If there is 

 no objection, he will preside at these meetings. He is well 



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