HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 



HON. CHARLES G. DAVIS. 



Our learned friend who has just addressed you, has discoursed up- 

 on the philosophy of agricultural education, and its progress in the 

 old world. It is my humbler province to present facts concerning its 

 advancement in our own country. 



That history and human life present wonderful contrasts, great 

 changes, and striking parallels are trite remarks ; trite because so 

 true, and so instructive, and because they present themselves to the 

 observing mind, in tracing every subject of human interest. 



In 1624 Gov. Edward Winslow brought to Plymouth in the Charity 

 three heifers and a bull, "which," says the historian, "were the first 

 neat cattle that came into New England." Soon after in 1624 James 

 Shirley, one of the London merchants who aided the Pilgrims, sent 

 over a cow for the poor of the Colony ; and other cattle came in the 

 Anne, and in the James, often called in the records, the "Jacob." 

 In 1627 a number of goats were purchased which were part of a car- 

 go of a ship cast away at Sagadehock ; and in the same year, May 

 22nd, cattle and goats of the common stock were equally divided by 

 lots, each lot being apportioned to thirteen persons.* 



* The first lot consisted of " 4 black heifers and 2 she goats " ; the second of " the great 

 black cow which came in the Ann, the lesser of the 2 steers, and 2 she goats " ; third, " the 

 red cow, to .which they must keep her calf this year, being a bull, and two she goats"; 

 fourth, " one of the 4 heifers which came in the Jacob " ; fifth, ,,one of the 4 heifers which 

 came in the Jacob, called the blind heifer, and 2 she goats"; sixth, "the lesser of the 

 black cows which came in the' Ann, and the biggest of the 2 steers, with 2 she goats " ; 

 seventh, "a black weaning calf, to which is added the calf of this year to come of the 

 black cow, and 2 she goats "; eighth, " a red heifer which came of the cow which belong- 

 eth to the poor of the Colony, the persons nominated to have half the increase, the other 

 half with the old stock to remain for the use of the poor; also 2 she goats"; ninth, "one 

 of the four black heifers that came in the Jacob, called the Smooth Horned Heifer, and 2 

 she goats"; tenth, "an heifer of last year and 2 she goats"; eleventh, "an heifer of last 

 year which was of the great black cow brought in the Ann and 2 she goats " ; twelfth, " the 

 great white back cow brought over with the first in the Ann and 2 she goats." New Eng- 

 land Memorial, Appendix, note L. 



