4 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Jan. 



inent, occupation of man. The soil on which we live is the 

 great store-house of wealth, from which we draw it freely 

 and which contributes so largely to supply the wants of 

 man. Gladly, then, do we welcome to our city the repre- 

 sentatives of the agricultural interests, especially when we 

 consider the farming resources of our county. We believe 

 here in Worcester in the farms and in the men who come 

 from them to aid us in building up our city and our State. 

 We know the sterling character of the Massachusetts 

 farmers ; and, gathered here as you are, to consider ques- 

 tions relating to their welfare, I am glad of the opportunity 

 to welcome you to Worcester. I trust and hope that your 

 meeting will be a pleasant and valuable one, and that the 

 influence that shall go forth from the papers and discussions 

 will be not only of value to the farming community, but to 

 all the citizens in our city and throughout our State. 



The Chairman. The State Board is here to-day by invi- 

 tation of the Worcester Agricultural Society. The presi- 

 dent of that society will now extend to you a welcome in 

 its behalf. I have the pleasure of introducing Mr. J. Lewis 

 Ellsworth. 



OPENING ADDRESS. 



BY J. LEWIS ELLSWORTH OP WORCESTER. 



Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen of the State Board of 

 Agriculture : — As president of the Worcester Agricult- 

 ural Society, at whose invitation you have honored us, it is 

 my pleasant duty to extend you a cordial welcome in their 

 behalf, to the city of Worcester. Twenty-five years ago 

 this Board held the third of these meetings here, and four- 

 teen years ago we were favored again. These two meetings 

 left us with a better knowledge of the principles of culti- 

 vating the soil and conducting farming operations. The 

 persons who represented you and the advice given have not 

 been forgotten by the farmers of these hill-sides in Worcester 

 and the adjoining towns. 



It is customary, upon opening these meetings, to give a 

 brief sketch of the city or town where the meeting is held, 

 that those who attend may be better acquainted with the 

 place and with the industries of the people who reside there. 



