18 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



to the Board and to the farming element of the community 

 that occupies 60 per cent of the territory of the State. 

 Their re(?ord is to the honor of the population of Massachu- 

 setts, and the honor of those who have accomplished thus 

 splendidly the conquest of the soil. 



The Chair. Fifty years ago to-day this Board was 

 organized. The man who was its first president gave 

 yeoman's help in its organization. He was the honored 

 Governor of Massachusetts, the executor of its laws ; but 

 he was anxious to do his whole duty irt helping the people 

 of the" Commonwealth to advance and prosper. Ho saw 

 an opportunity to assist them in the development of 

 agriculture. He took a leading part in the establishment 

 of this Board. By the law made a member of the Board, 

 he gave of his time and talents to the duties of the posi- 

 tion, attended the meetings of the Board, served on its 

 committees, acted as delegate to fairs of the agricultural 

 societies, and as such delegate made report to the Board 

 of the fairs he attended. His counsel was of great value, 

 and was highly appreciated at the time and is gratefully 

 remembered by all who have since served on the Board and 

 by the farmers of the State. His devotion to duty was 

 seen and appreciated by the State and nation, and in the 

 trying times of civil war and reconstruction he Avas called to 

 serve as Representative and Senator in Congress and as Sec- 

 retary of the treasury. History will make sure that his 

 services shall be alwa3^s remembered. He still lives ,to see 

 the fruit of his labors. I am greatly honored by the privi- 

 lege of presenting to you the Hon. Geo. S. Boutwell of 

 Groton. 



ADDRESS OF EX-GO V. GEORGE S. BOUTWELL. 



Mr. President and ladies and gentlemen, I find that in the 

 opening of the meeting an error was made in the manage- 

 ment which ouo-ht to be corrected. It is now too late to 

 correct that error, but personally I should like to disabuse 

 your minds of the thought that I am to deliver an address. 

 Lieutenant-Governor Bates has done that to the satisfaction 



