No. 4.] FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY. 47 



tised by the society and attended by the members and their 

 families, I had an audience of five persons, four of whom were 

 ladies who knew me. This opposition Avas treated firmly but with 

 good-nature, and was gradually overcome ; the institutes became 

 important, and were the best work of the Board ; the latest in- 

 formation was disseminated ; interest was kept up through the 

 winters. I attended meetings from Nantucket and Martha's 

 Vine^'ard to Berkshire, and, under the guise of a teacher, I was 

 taught. In this work I had the association and assistance of the 

 members of the Board ; and I must especially mention the unfail- 

 ing support of that eminent chemist. Professor Goessniann. From 

 the establishment of the institutes the influence and work of the 

 Board constantly broadened, and it secured a greater measui'e of 

 the confidence of the Legislature and the Executive. My con- 

 nection with it ceased in 1887. Since then I have been so much 

 occupied in other affairs that 1 have not kept in touch with the 

 farmers, but I have not been unobservant of their affairs ; and 

 though, like the rolling seasons, they cannot be hurried, I feel sure 

 their progress is steady, and equal to the other permanent and 

 useful pursuits of their fellow-citizens, and that they are more 

 prosperous and living easier lives than they were twenty-five years 

 ago. 



I can never forget the busy years of my secretaryship, and the 

 warm friendships then made wfth men most of whom have gathered 

 their last harvests on earth and passed on to those celestial fields, 



"Where everhisting spring abides, 

 And never-withering tlowers. 



If I had my life to live over, it would be spent in practical 

 agriculture, and in helping my brother farmers to a better appre- 

 ciation of the most secure and happiest of lots. 



Cordially yours, John E. Russell. 



The Chair. Our time has very nearly exi)ired, but we 

 cannot adjourn without calling upon one man whom Secre- 

 tary Russell mentioned as a valuable man in every way. 

 He has served the agricultural interests faithfully as mem- 

 ber of the Board, as trustee of the Agricultural College, as 

 Cattle Commissioner, and as president of the Worcester 

 County Horticultural Society ; and he is now president of 

 the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, which has invited 

 us to occupy this building free of charge for this semicen- 

 tennial. I call upon Mr. O. B. Hadwen of Worcester. 



