No. 123.] REPORT OF COMMISSIONER. 35 



Dedicatory Address. Lieutenant Governor Channing Cox of Massa- 

 chusetts. 



Five-minute speeches by visiting Governors or representatives of the 

 Dei)artnients of Agriculture. 



DeUvery of keys to Massachusetts Building by John K. M. L. Farquhar, 

 chairman of building commission, to Wilfrid Wheeler, Commissioner 

 of Agriculture. 



Singing of "America." By Audience. 



It was of special value to have the Governors of the different 

 States or their representatives present, and the speeches made 

 dwelt especially upon the need for a new development in agri- 

 culture and a closer affiliation among the group of New England 

 States. 



The dedicatory address by Lieutenant Governor Cox was 

 most fitting to the occasion and highly approved by the audi- 

 ence. After the exercises the guests inspected the exhibits and 

 building and expressed themselves as very much pleased with 

 the arrangement of both building and exhibits. 



The building was completed early in the winter of 1918-19 and 

 was in splendid condition for the exhibits in September, The 

 grounds were also in excellent condition. 



The exhibit was in charge of Mr, A, W, Lombard, and great 

 credit is due him for his good taste in the arrangement of the 

 display. The wings were occupied by the Massachusetts Fish 

 and Game Commission and by the Forestry Department, while 

 the main hall was given up to a general exhibit of the products 

 of the State. 



Meetings of the Department. 



The first annual meeting of the Department of Agriculture 

 was held at the State House, Boston, December 19 and 20, 

 1918, at which time the reports of the various ofiicers were pre- 

 sented and accepted, and officers for 1919 were elected. 



Leading agricultural organizations of the State co-operated 

 with the Department in the biggest agricultural meeting ever 

 held in Boston, February 11 to 14, at Horticultural Hall, when 

 such groups as the Massachusetts Fruit Growers' Association, 



