THE FIFTIETH ANNUAL REPORT 



SECRETARY 



Board of Agriculture, 



To the Senate and Ilotise of Itepresentalives of the ^Commomvealth of 



Massachusetts. 



In accordance with custom and in the line of my duty as 

 secretary of the Massachusetts State Board of Agriculture, 

 I herewith present the fiftieth annual report. 



The year has been generally prosperous to the agriculture 

 of this State, and the outlook for agricultural improvement, 

 progress and prosperity in Massachusetts was never brighter 

 than to-day. This Board is on the outlook constantly for 

 such advances in the methods of improved agTiculture as 

 shall bring comfort and beauty to the home and content 

 and prosperity to the ftirmer. It has been alert and quick 

 to protect the farmer in his productions, to investigate and 

 urge the newer lines of safe advance in method and product, 

 and to stimulate to experiment and achievement in devel- 

 oping and demonstrating an advanced agTiculture for the 

 benefit of the State. The 51 per cent increase in the cash 

 value of the agricultural products of this State in the last 

 decade is an indication that the State's interest in aofricul- 

 ture is for her profit, and the financial returns prove it to 

 be a good investment. This advanced position should con- 

 tinue, and must continue Avith the best home market in the 

 United States at our door. Nay, more ! it should advance 

 in the next decade beyond the last, for already the new 

 elements to success in the country towns are reaching out 

 to the benefit of the rural life on our hills and in our val- 

 leys. Practically speaking, the abandoned farm is a thing 



