1889.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 4. 13 



with their stimulating agricultural teaching, have already had 

 a vast influence upon the agriculture of the Commonwealth. 

 And when you remember, gentlemen, who have gathered 

 around these meetings, you will then see why it is they have 

 had so much interest attached to them, and why it is they 

 have really been of such practical benefit to the farmers of 

 the Commonwealth. I have heard discussions upon the 

 theory and upon the practice of the breeding of animals, at 

 these meetings, between the practical farmers themselves 

 and the great teacher Agassiz, that were worthy of being 

 introduced into any scientific report on earth ; and I am sure 

 the members of the Board and the audience present who 

 went out of those meetings, after having listened to debates 

 by men of that description, — the great theorists on one side, 

 and the men of practice on the other, — must have realized 

 that the farmer and scientist had a close association, which 

 might be of benefit to both. While you might not have 

 realized quite the vast value of the statements made by 

 Professor Agassiz, I can say that he had entire confidence in 

 the statements made to him, and that from them he drew 

 some of the finest of his scientific conclusions. I congratulate 

 you, therefore, on the work performed by the Board ; and 

 that the results of teachings here have been recorded for now 

 twenty-five years, — one quarter of a century ; and that there 

 is for you, and for those who come after you, this record of 

 practical agriculture, which will always be esteemed of high 

 value by the agricultural students of this Commonwealth 

 and of the country. 



I desire, in conclusion, to express my thanks to Dr. 

 Seelye, who has kindly opened your discussion here by the 

 presentation of the power of diligence and skill and high 

 moral tone and great religious purpose, when devoted to the 

 duties of life, in this and in every other community. His 

 statement has been an enjoyment. The great walks of life 

 to which he referred are not open to us all. While the cul- 

 tivation of the soil may not lead to such high avenues of 

 power and such great distinction, it does constitute the 

 community out from which these great qualities spring, and 

 to which they may be effectually applied ; and the farmers 

 themselves make up that sturdy and substantial and constant 



