xxiv BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Jan. 



Because of the general complaint of trespassing made by 

 our correspondents, and the possible ignorance of some as 

 to the provisions of law in regard to trespass, it was thought 

 best to print in this bulletin the trespass laws as they then 

 stood on our statutes. We have a few of these copies left, 

 and will mail them to those who want them. 



Agricultural Societies. 



The incorporated agricultural societies represented on the 

 Board are most of them in a prosperous condition, as will be 

 seen by a reference to their financial returns printed in this 

 volume. The exhibitions of farm stock, field, garden and 

 dairy products at the fairs of these societies have been larger 

 and of better quality than usual. In some cases the improve- 

 ment has been marked. The attendance, except in a few 

 cases where stormy weather prevented, has been larger than 

 in previous years. The criticism is often made that these 

 fairs are largely opportunities for recreation and amusement, 

 and that the State is furnishing money for these purposes 

 by the bounty it pays yearly to the societies. But it should 

 be remembered that the amount of bounty paid to each 

 society is predicated upon the amount of premiums paid for 

 agricultural purposes at the fair of the preceding year, and 

 that none of the bounty of the State is expended for horse 

 racing or for other amusements, or even for the running 

 expenses of the societies. Two new societies, besides the 

 Worcester East alluded to in my last report, will this year 

 become eligible to the bounty of the State, and have chosen 

 members of the State Board of Agriculture. The Wey- 

 mouth Agricultural and Industrial Society, located at South 

 Weymouth, was made eligible by an act of the Legislature 

 amending the general law, and the Attleborough Agricult- 

 ural Association, incorporated in 1887, by complying with 

 the requirements of law and the regulations of the Board of 

 Agriculture. 



The circular for the financial returns of the several socie- 

 ties was materially changed before being sent to the several 

 treasurers for the annual return required to be filed in this 

 office on or before the tenth day of December. It was 

 required in this circular that the value returned for the 



