No. 4.] ANNUAL MEETING. 215 



Boston-, Jan. 9, 1900. 

 Hon. James S. Grinnell, Greenfield, Mass. 



Dear Sir : — The Massachusetts State Board of Agriculture, 

 iu session assembled at their annual meeting, have learned with 

 sincere regret of your resignation from its membership. 



They desire to express their deep sympathy in the illness which 

 has led to the taking of this step, knowing that only the strongest 

 necessity would have forced you into severing that bond of mutual 

 affection which has so long united us. 



For nearly fifty years you have been our friend, our counsellor, 

 our leader, and now, as we bid you farewell, we can only cry, "My 

 father, my father, the chariots of Israel and the horsemen thereof." 

 May peace and happiness attend you, and the sunset of your 

 life be even as bright and beautiful as its morn. God bless and 

 keep you always is the prayer of your friends. 

 In behalf of the Board, 



(Signed) Hekry H. Goodell. 



Edmund Herset. 

 William A. Kilbourk. 



On motion of Secretary Stock well, it was 



Voted, To elect a standing committee on institutes, rules 

 and legislation, said committee to act conjointly with the 

 executive committee, and these two committees to have 

 power to appoint sub-committees or advise or help forward 

 legislation or adopt rules, when such action is approved by 

 a majority of this joint committee present and voting. 



Voted, To amend article 1 of chapter I. of the by-laws, 

 by substituting the word " nine" for the word " eight," in 

 the third line; the word "eight" for the word "seven," 

 in the fifth line ; the word "eight" for the word "seven," in 

 the sixth line; the word "nine" for the word "eight," 

 in the seventh line ; and adding to the list of committees 

 the following: "9. A committee on institutes, rules and 

 legislation." 



Mr. F. H. Appleton gave notice that at the next meeting 

 of the Board he should move an amendment to article 1 of 

 chapter VII. of the by-laws by dividing the article into two 

 sentences after the word " Board" in the third line. 



The hearing on the request of the Eastern Hampden Agri- 

 cultural Society for the approval by the Board of Agricult- 



