1912-13] AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT 43 



this crystallizing, as you will recall, in the formation of a Central 

 Board of Agriculture in 1851. Unfortunately for Worcester 

 County, the survey was suspended before the commissioner 

 investigated this district, leaving us with a very vague con- 

 ception of her agricultural standing, speaking of the county as 

 a whole. 



Obviously, then, a comprehensive survey of the county is 

 fundamental in any attempt toward systematic agricultural 

 development. The purpose of a so-called agricultural survey 

 is to determine the exact facts and then base the lines of action 

 upon these facts. The region should have good topographical 

 and geological maps. The next step would be a soil survey. A 

 study of the local climate should be a part. Later, the natural 

 resources of the area should be known. There should be a 

 thorough farm management survey. The general survey 

 could be properly followed by detailed surveys. Each survey 

 dovetailing with each collateral survey. 



The Massachusetts Agricultural College, through its Division 

 of Extension Service, is co-operating with the United States 

 Departmicnt of Agriculture, the Worcester Board of Trade, the 

 Worcester Horticultural Society, and other prominent county 

 organizations in an effort looking toward a more progressive 

 agriculture. Already some progress has been made. During 

 the past six months, a governm.ent expert has been making 

 careful observations in this country with special reference to 

 soil conditions, the principal inquiry being directed to soils 

 best adapted to apple culture. The results of this study will 

 be invaluable to the party who plans to establish orchards 

 within the borders of this county. An expert has also been 

 studying problems of farm management. The college Division 

 of Extension Service is doing much to promote the rural con- 

 ditions of this county. There exists to-day, a great reservoir of 

 agricultural knowledge awaiting distribution through agencies 

 which will reach the agricultural masses. The Division of 

 Extension Service of the Agricultural College is a movement to 

 assist every man who lives on the land to a knowledge of the 

 fundamental laws of production relating to his business. The 



