440 MASS. BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



Resolved, That Agriculture is paramount to all other interests of society, 

 and should be considered an object of special regard and patronage both by 

 the government and by the people ; and that whether acting as individuals or 

 representatives, the citizens of this Commonwealth are bound to encourage and 

 sustain every laudable effort for tlie advancement of this great department of 

 human industry. 



Resolved, That while this board gratefully acknowledge the pecuniary aid 

 hitherto afforded by the Commonwealth to local agricultural societies, yet, in 

 the judgment of the board, it is believed that neither these, or any other 

 means now in operation, are sufficient for the full development of the agricul- 

 tural resources of the State, or the continued and permanent improvement of 

 this time-honored art. 



Resolved, That the necessity for additional State patronage appears from the 

 low condition and slow progress of agriculture, when compared with the thrifl, 

 industry and intelligence so conspicuous in almost all other departments of 

 labor ; especially does this necessity appear, from the rapid increase of popu- 

 lation and the decrease of agricultural products in the State, and from the 

 large quantities of produce brought annually into Massachusetts from the 

 southern and western states, much of which, by a proper knowledge of the 

 constituents of soils, crops, and manures, and their proper adaptation to each 

 other, might be raised by our farmers in sufficient quantity for home consump- 

 tion, and at a profit which would enable them to maintain a successful compe- 

 tition with cultivators in the more naturally fertile regions of the West. 



Resolved, That the necessity for this improvement is apparent from the re- 

 port of the valuation committee to the last Legislature, and by which it will 

 be seen, that although there have been added to the lands, under improvement, 

 since 1840, more than three hundred thousand acres, and although the upland 

 and other mowing lands have been increased more than ninety thousand acres, 

 or nearly fffeen per cent., yet the hay crops have increased only about three 

 per cent., showing a relative depreciation of twelve per cent. ; and although 

 the tillage lands have been increased more than forty thousand acres in the 

 same period, yet there has been no increase in the grain crops, but an absolute 

 depreciation of more than six hundred thousand bushels ; and although the 

 pasturage lands have been increased more than one hundred thousand acres, yet 

 there has been scarcely any augmentation of neat cattle, while, in sheep, 

 there has been a reduction of more than one hundred and sixty thousand, and in 

 swine, of more than seventeen thousand. 



Resolved, That to prevent a further dep eciation in the great interest of 

 agriculture, and to raise this most important pursuit to that point of perfection 

 which lias been attained by most other arts, a knowledge of the natural sciences 

 is indisp( nsable ; for if there are scientific principles on which successful cul- 

 tivation depends, then no effort can be well directed unless it is founded on 

 these principles. 



Resolved, That M issachusetts, by an enlightened policy and wise legislation, 

 has rendered her system of education worthy of her exalted reputation, and 

 that this board most earnestly desire her to complete that system, by providing 



