18 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



to justify the annual publications of the transactions of those 

 societies. The improvements proposed fell dead upon the 

 people, who rejected " book farming." Gradually great im- 

 provements in farm methods have been brought about, until 

 this ancient art has been made almost an exact science. 



I consider it a great good fortune for any community, in 

 which the farmers form a large element, to be favored as 

 we are by the meeting of the State Board of Agriculture 

 among us this week, and I believe I voice the feeling of the 

 entire community in giving you a hearty and sincere welcome 

 to our midst. May your stay be pleasant, and your mission 

 to us aid in bringing about a general realization of the fact 

 that the power of this great United States resides really and 

 finally in her soil. 



The Chaik. Perhaps you would be glad to hear a word 

 from your secretary, Mr. Ellsworth. 



PtESPOA^SE FOll THE BOARD, BY SECRETARY 

 ELLSWORTH. 



I wish to extend to you, Mr. Chairman of the Board of 

 Selectmen, on behalf of the Board of Agriculture, our thanks 

 for the cordial words with which you have welcomed us and 

 for what you have said in behalf of agriculture, which is the 

 leading industry of the nation today. After feeding our 

 people here at home, the amount of food sent abroad is 

 something astonishing. 



In speaking for the Board of Agriculture^, I wish to re- 

 mind you that the first of this series of winter meetings was 

 held at Springfield, forty-five years ago; the second one was 

 held here, in 1864. Since that time three other meetings of 

 the Board have been held in Greenfield, this being the fourth. 

 At the first meeting, in 1 8(5-1:, His Excellency Governor An- 

 drew occupied the chair during the first day. He was in- 

 vited by the Board to give his views on the establishment of 

 an agricultural college and the course of study to be pursued, 

 the subject under consideration being " Agricultural educa- 

 tion." The next meeting was in 1879, and was called to 

 order by your late townsman, Hon. James S. Grinnell. He 



