twe:n^ty-fikst 

 ANNUAL EEPOET OF THE SECEETARY 



OF THE 



BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



To the Senate and House of Eepresentatives of the Commonwealth of 

 Massachusetts. 



The year just passed has been one of general prosperity 

 to the farming community, notwithstanding the forebodings 

 through the opening spring caused by a drought of more than 

 usual severity at that season of the year. The first crop of 

 hay was light in the eastern and middle portions of the State, 

 though more frequent showers on the hilly ranges west of the 

 Connecticut and in Berkshire County carried the crop through 

 to a more satisfactory yield there, while the favorable con- 

 ditions of the later season, and the uncommonly late occur- 

 rence of frosts in the fall, produced an abundant second crop 

 of grass and a luxuriant growth of fall feed. 



The general tone of the farming community, therefore, has 

 been hopeful, and it was a mattei* of common remark that the 

 attendance upon the agricultural exhibitions was never better. 

 Where the conditions as to weather were favorable, the soci- 

 eties have been prosperous and their receipts large, while the 

 display of improved stock, farm and orchard products, and of 

 domestic industry, has given abundant evidence of thrift and 

 progress. 



The societies of this State have, no doubt, been productive 

 of great good. They have created an interest and enthusiasm 



