304 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



aging success for better varieties. The fig, so important tliere, 

 lias never been neglected nor lightly esteemed among men. 

 The example of the first historical vine-dresser has been, if not 

 always steadily, at least faithfully imitated by his numerous 

 descendants. Tiiere can be little doubt that as a few domestic 

 animals have been peculiarly adapted for the use of man, and 

 are specially capable of development to meet his wants, so a 

 very limited number of plants have been from the beginning 

 designed to hold a prominent place among cultivated species, 

 and will to the end of time continue to reward abundantly all 

 intelligent efforts for their improvement. 



W. S. Clark. 



Marshall P. Wilder. 



Nathan Durfee. 



The essay, after an interesting discussion, was laid over 

 under the rule, when the Board adjourned. 



Second Day. 



Tlie Board met at ten o'clock, A. M., Mr. Hubbard, of Brim- 

 field, in the chair. 



Present : Messrs. Agassiz, Baker, Bassett, Birnie, Bradford, 

 Boise, I. K. Brown, N. P. Brown, Bucklin, Clark, Clement, 

 Converse, Ellsworth, Fearing, Goodman, Hubbard, Hyde, John- 

 son, Knowlton, Loring, Moore, Morton, Peck, Saltonstall, Slade, 

 Stone, Ward and Wilder. 



Mr. Bradford submitted a report, as delegate, upon the Wor- 

 cester North-West Society ; Mr. N. P. Brown upon the Middle- 

 sex North ; Mr. Ellsworth upon the Norfolk ; Mr. Bucklin upon 

 the Bristol Central ; Mr. Hubbard upon the Hingham ; ]\rr. 

 Boise upon ilie Martha's Vineyard, and Mr. Johnson upon the 

 Hampshire, Franklin and Hampden. 



Mr. Goodman submitted the Report of the Examining Com- 

 mittee of 



THE MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE. 

 The undersigned, appointed by this Board, a Committee for 

 the visitation and examination of the Agricultural College for 

 the year 1870, report as follows : — 



Two of the Committee, Messrs. Goodman and Stone, have 

 visited the college at the end of each term, and have given 



