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IX. 



RECOMMENDATION WITH REGARD TO AGRICULTURAL 

 EDUCATION FOR WORCESTER. 



In accordance with the provisions of chapter 108 of the Ke- 

 solves of 1910, the investigation leading to this report consid- 

 ered the " practicability and desirability of establishing a farm 

 school in the city of Worcester in which instruction may be 

 given, free, in the raising of fruits, vegetables, flowers, grains, 

 plants and trees, and in the care of domestic animals, and in 

 which similar instruction suitable to their years may be given 

 to children." 



It will be remembered that the 1905 Massachusetts State 

 census showed that the agricultural produce of Worcester County 

 was reported as $14,279,000, and of the city of Worcester alone 

 as $1,491,000. While the second city in population, Worces- 

 ter ranked first of the cities and towns in the value of its agri- 

 cultural products. 



The farm products of Worcester are widely varied and are 

 readily marketed. The long slopes which characterize the out- 

 lying land are found to be remarkably favorable for fruit, 

 particularly for apple growing ; dairy and poultry products hold 

 a strong position ; market gardening is highly promising. 



Worcester has two important and very active organizations 

 in its agricultural and horticultural societies. The city has 

 made a most commendable beginning in trade school work, 

 and the rounding out of its system of vocational training of 

 secondary grade might well take the form of a strong separate 

 agricultural school. The resources of the city and the impor- 

 tance of its farming interests would fully warrant the estab- 

 lishment and maintenance of such a school. 



It is believed that the provisions proposed in this report for 

 meeting the needs of the State at large for a system of voca- 

 tional agricultural education of secondary grade would meet 

 the requirements of Worcester, and that, therefore, special leg- 

 islation for this particular city should not be herein proposed. 



