12 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



I cannot go as far back toward the early days of the Board 

 as can some who are here, but I go back in memory to 1870, 

 when, not as a member, but as a young agriculturist, I first 

 came in touch with the secretary of those days, lion. Charles 

 L. Flint. It was my privilege to be acquainted with him, 

 and to accompany him somcAvhat, which was a delightful 

 experience. Not being myself, I regret, a linguist of many 

 tongues, I can praiae Mr. Flint for such helpful character- 

 istics, which brought to him a knowledge of the reports of 

 foreign experimenting in agricultural matters, and through 

 him we obtained much helpful knowledge before our own 

 stations had been developed. 



It has been one of the agreeable experiences of my rela- 

 tions here, besides that we have all joined in trying to pro- 

 mote general agriculture, that I have had the acquaintance 

 of so many people who have been connected with the Board 

 in various ways. 



We have together been participants in developing the 

 interests of the Agricultural College and of the experiment 

 stations ; and, as director or trustees, in so trying to pro- 

 mote their best interests that a consolidation of the two 

 agricultural stations has resulted under control of the trustees 

 of the college. I think you will agree that, in order to 

 promote the best in our agriculture, we must endeavor to 

 see that the best results in scientific investigation and of 

 scientific training are brought within reach of our agri- 

 culturists. 



Science has made it possible to bring to our doors agri- 

 cultural products in great a ariety and to sell them at a low 

 price. The soil of Massachusetts must be fertilized and 

 treated with and by brains as well as with manure and com- 

 mercial fertilizer, in order to produce at a cost that will 

 encourage the business of agriculture in its man}- forms. 



The insect problem seems to be a most important one for 

 scientific thought and care. Insect pests are many and of 

 varied habits. It seems to have been proved that the 

 stronojest antaofonist is he who has most interest in the re- 

 suit ; and the oAvner is he who is best able to lead the attack. 

 Does it not remain for the Board to see that the best annnu- 



