10 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Jan. 



type came hither to New England that they might be men. 

 As our fathers on the coast of Massachusetts founded for 

 their part the land, so let us finish it. 



Gentlemen of the State Board of Agriculture, it is your 

 hio-li honor and privilege to pursue and dignify this three- 

 fold vocation of agriculture, citizenship and manhood. With 

 each strand perfect, they make a threefold cord not quickly 

 broken. 



I take much pleasure in your presence for your annual 

 winter session here in our city. If it be true that " a poet 

 is born, not made," it is scarcely less true that a city's 

 existence is fore-ordained. And so this city of Fitchburg, 

 which has been called the "Heidelberg of America," has 

 had its existence predetermined. By its natural circum- 

 stance God has said to the people of our Commonwealth, 

 "Here arise and build." For here is the natural northern 

 gate-way of the State, opening the avenue to the Miller's 

 River and Deerfield River valleys ; here are, upon the Nashua 

 River flowing through our limits, various water privileges ; 

 here are picturesque slopes, presenting charming sites for 

 residences; and here, divinely set, is Rollstone Hill, appar- 

 ently of solid granite, prepared and waiting to be converted 

 to various uses in the construction of the city. And the fiat 

 of environment is, build here and prosper. And in obedi- 

 ence this municipality has been planted and has thriven. 

 Very few cities of the State, I think, can have realized the 

 per cent of increase since 1880, which Fitchburg has at- 

 tained ; for, from a population of over twelve thousand then, 

 WG have advanced, according to cautious estimate, to over 

 twenty-one thousand, or some seventy-five per cent. A 

 growth this is, 1 may add, which is founded on substantial 

 industries, and which promises healthful stability to our city. 

 We offer you our most cordial salutations and welcome as 

 you convene for deliberation upon your department of work 

 in our Commonwealth. 



j\Irs. Browning, who has been called " Shakespeare's 

 daughter," looking out in Florence from her " Casa Guidi 

 Windows" on the Italy she loved so compassionately, 

 wrote ; — 



