1890.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 4. 291 



believe that the farmers are prepared to spend money in insti- 

 tuting a college. I think it would do them no good whatever." 



This voluntary organization was superseded by the estab- 

 lishing of the Board of Agriculture in 1852. Under its 

 management new vigor has been infused into the societies, 

 their power for usefulness strengthened, and their influence 

 extended. The collecting and disseminating much useful ' 

 information through these channels each year has reached 

 the average farmer, and awakened in him a spirit of inquiry 

 and improvement, and given a new impetus to agriculture. 



There is considerable prejudice existing against the Board 

 of Agriculture, at the present time, due in part to ignorance. 

 Many believe, or affect to do so, that it is antagonistic to 

 the agricultural societies of the State, failing to comprehend, 

 or ignoring the fact, that it is a representative body, in 

 which every society has a delegate. Every well-managed 

 society has an executive committee, chosen from its members, 

 to make regulations for its annual show and fair, and adopt all 

 measures that they may deem necessary for the well-being of 

 the society. Constituted as the Board of Agriculture is, it 

 forms a very efficient executive committee for all of the socie- 

 ties. Its members, knowing the wants of the several societies, 

 consult and advise as to rules and regulations for the benefit 

 of all of them. 



The rapid advancement in practical agriculture within 

 the last decade is not all due to muscular strength and 

 force, but largely to mind work, induced by the progressive 

 elements surrounding the farmers. It has been said that 

 " Out of the desire of a few individuals for an agricultural 

 colleae, grew the Board of Agriculture." The " desire " for 

 the college was certainly a very laudable one, and took fif- 

 teen or more years to educate the people to take an interest 

 in it. It will be better appreciated as the people become 

 more acquainted with its workings, and see the beneficial 

 influence of a better agricultural education. • 



Andrew B. Dickinson, a farmer of the State of New York, 

 who worked out his education by the light of a log fire, in 

 his youthful days, in an address to a farmers' club in 

 Chemung County, said that " it required more brain work to 

 manage a well-equipped farm than to govern the United 



