THE THIRTY-SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT 



SECRETARY 



BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



To the Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth oj 

 Massachusetts. 



The work of the Board of Agriculture the past year has 

 been along the usual lines of effort. Most of the members 

 have exhibited a marked interest in their duties. Some of 

 them have spent much valuable time, for which they receive 

 no compensation. The delegates to the several fairs have 

 in almost every instance attended to the duty assigned them ; 

 making detailed reports to the Board of the work of the 

 several societies as well as of their annual exhibitions. 

 One hundred and twenty-five farmers' institutes have been 

 held the past year under the auspices of the several incor- 

 porated agricultural societies. Most of these have been 

 attended by at least one member of the Board. The member 

 attending has usually presented a lecture upon the subject 

 which the institute was called to consider. These meetings 

 are growing in interest, and are believed to be doing a good 

 work in spreading information and in encouraging the agri- 

 culturists of the State to attempt those branches of farming 

 which promise the surest returns for the investment of capi- 

 tal and the employment of labor. The three days' public 

 meeting of the Board, held at Easthampton, December 4, 5 

 and 6, was planned for work in the same direction. Most 

 of the lectures were short, and dealt with specific branches of 



