Xo. 4.] A(;Ki('ri;rrKAi> coLLF.GE. 215 



Ma88acliusett.s, a.s it i^ave them an opportunity to witness 

 many ot" the object lessons of the college work, and experi- 

 ments in spraying- fruit trees and shrubbery, which in late 

 years have become so nmch infested with insects and fungi. 



The condition of the farm is excellent, and your commit- 

 tee was pleased to hear of proposed changes in the manage- 

 ment and handling of the stock, with a view to making it 

 more of a financial success in making use of the waste and 

 by-products of the farm. 



Your committee, while it notes an improved condition of 

 the stock generalh', of which considerable criticism has been 

 made, would suggest that this branch of the work should be 

 made an object lesson for all the farmers of the State ; that 

 the poorer animals should be disposed of and replaced with 

 better ones, and the line of quality steadily raised, so that 

 this may become the " Mecca" of stock men of ^Nlassachu- 

 setts, as it is for experimental work in other lines. The 

 very best is none too good for the Massachusetts Agricul- 

 tural College. 



The work of this committee is largely a repetition of 

 itself, and in a sense superficial. It inspects, it suggests, it 

 criticises ; it seems, in fact, the connecting link between the 

 State Board of Ao-riculture and the college. It has grown 

 into strong s^^mpathy with the institution, and feels a deep 

 interest in its success and growth. The institution needs 

 some new buildings and some new farm machinery, to be 

 properly e(|uipped for the work that is manifestly before 

 it. Massachusetts should meet these Avants with a liberal 

 hand. It is sowing seed for a future harvest that cannot 

 be measured in dollars and cents. 



The depleted condition of soil from long use, the incoming 

 of pests, scales and fungous growth, demand a different style 

 of farmino^ from that our fathers followed when conditions 

 were different. Hold an institute in any farming town in 

 Massachusetts, and call in a scientific agriculturist to make 

 the formal address, to be followed by a discussion of the 

 subject, and you will see, in the questions asked, the re- 

 s|)ondent influence and enlightenment of this college. So 

 we think it is for the advantaiifo of the State r>oar(l of Ai:ri- 



