12 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



formation of a farmers' club in Hingham in 1814, with six- 

 teen members, that continued to hold meetings until 1830, 

 stating that the records of this club and a copy of the circu- 

 lar sent out by the Massachusetts Society are deposited in 

 the library (5f the Hingham Society. Mr. Hersey also 

 spoke of the present work of the society. 



Mr. Grixxell said that, judging by his knowledge of the 

 work of the society, no agency had done more for the pro- 

 motion of agriculture. 



The motion of President Goodell was then put and unan- 

 imously carried. 



Mr. Appletox, one of the trustees of the society, pre- 

 sented the thanks of the society, informally, for this action 

 and expression of good Mdll. 



On motion of Mr. Hersey — 



Voted, That the opinion of the Attorney-General be ac- 

 cepted and spread upon the records, and also that a copy be 

 sent in pamphlet form to each society as a guide for future 

 reference. 



The secretary made personal application to the Governor 

 to obtain the opinion of the Attorney-General, which he 

 kindly consented to do, and the following statement of facts 

 was furnished by the secretary for the use of the Attorney- 

 General in forming an opinion : — 



Statemext of Facts. 



At the auniial meeting of the State Board of Agriculture, Feb. 

 1, 1893, it was — 



Voted, That the executive committee be instructed to investi- 

 gate the standing of the Bay State Agricultural Society and other 

 societies, and report at the next public winter meeting ; and that 

 the committee be autliorized and instructed to take proper means 

 to get the opinion of the Attorney-General in the matter. 



The law px'oviding who shall constitute the Board of Agricult- 

 ure is Public Statutes, chapter 20. The law regulating the pay- 

 ment of bounty to agricultural societies is Public Statutes, chap- 

 ter 114. 



The Massachusetts Society for Promoting Agriculture has had 



