Tiii BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



Gift to the Board. 



In response to its request, the Board has received a large 

 and richly framed portrait of its second secretary, — Hon. 

 John E. Russell of Leicester. It is a crayon drawing, 

 executed by Miss Emeline Wing of Boston, and is a faithful 

 portrait of Mr. Russell as he appeared when secretary of 

 the Board, 1880-87. It was well hung by Mr. Noyes of 

 Boston, in good position and good light. All who have seen 

 it praise it highly as a portrait and as a work of art. 



The formal thanks of the Board were duly forwarded to 

 Mr. Russell in his distant sojourn ; Init the brightening eye 

 and the glad expression of pleasure from the members who 

 were associated with Mr. Russell when he was its secretary 

 are more eloquent of the pleasant remembrances of past 

 association than words can portray. Mr. Russell can be 

 well assured that no place is so distant that it is not reached 

 by the kindest thoughts of the members of the Massachusetts 

 Board of Agriculture. 



Changes in the Board. 

 The loved and efficient secretary of the Board, Hon. Wm. 

 R. Sessions, declined further service, and his . resignation 

 was reluctantly accepted at the last annual meeting, and 

 Hon. J. W. Stockwell was elected as secretary of the Board, 

 his term to begin July 1, 1899. The office was vacated by 

 Mr. Sessions June 30, 1899, and all valuables placed in the 

 hands of his successor. The correspondence that follows is 

 self-explanatory of the courtesies of the exchange : — 



Hon. J. W. Stockwell. Boston, Mass., June 30, 1899. 



My Dear Sir : — The time has arrived for me to lay down the 

 responsibilities of the office of secretary of the Massachusetts 

 State Board of Agriculture, after twelve years of the best service 

 I have been able to render. I am glad to be succeeded by au 

 experienced and loyal friend of agriculture and of the men and 

 women who pursue that most honorable calling. It is also most 

 agreeable to me to be succeeded by a personal friend, — one who 

 has for many years been associated with me in the work of the 

 Board of Agriculture and the Dairy Bureau, as well as in grange 

 and institute work. I am sure you will be successful in the 



