60 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



or less thoroughness. But I want to say to the mayor and 

 to the citizens of North Adams that this Board has not been 

 a theoi'etical Board particularly ; it has been a practical 

 Board from the beginning to the end. From the beginning 

 of its work in "Massachusetts every branch of agriculture has 

 been represented on this Board by men who have been 

 eminently successful in the practice of agriculture, and in 

 their special lines of work as well. 



In the early days we knew little about the science of agri- 

 culture as it is now given to us. AVe had no experiment 

 stations to bring to us long-tried experiments and the 

 achievements of successful men in agriculture ; but if you 

 will look over the reports for the last forty or fifty years 

 you will find that men successful in the agricultural line 

 gave us the results of their investigation line upon line and 

 precept upon precept, and that backed up b}'^ experience. 

 Later we have the agricultural college and experiment 

 stations to bring to us the reasons for things, — things which 

 some of us knew before but were not able to give the reasons 

 for. They told us not only what to do but why, and agri- 

 culture has been advanced all along the lines for forty or 

 fifty years. We hope that we may leave a little influence 

 here that shall be to the advantao;e of the local aijriculture. 



It has been the custom of this Board to hold meetings in 

 different parts of the State in order that farmers from all 

 over the State may haAc the advantage of the meetings. 

 Xhis is the fourth time Me have come to Berkshire County, 

 and the first time to North Adams. 



The gentleman who is scheduled to give us the first 

 lecture has not only experimented in agricultural colleges 

 and experiment stations, Imt in his mature years has 

 started to show, by practical illustrations, the things he 

 has taught, and is now demonstrating the truths which the 

 experiment stations and colleges have spread broadcast. 



I Avill now introduce Prof. J. W. Sanborn, of Gilman- 

 ton, N. H., who will speak upon "Beef Production in 

 New England." 



