442 MASS. BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



An animated and interesting discussion took place upon these 

 resolves, in which A. W. Dodge, Dr. Gardner, Mr. Tower, of 

 the Berkshire Society, Mr. Lincoln, and Harvey Dodge, of the 

 Worcester Society, Mr. Caldwell of the Worcester (West) Socie- 

 ty, Mr. Daggett of the Bristol Society, and others, participated. 

 Strong ground was taken in |avor of a farm-school, where 

 experiments in tillage, in breeding and feeding stock, tests 

 of manures, <fcc., should be made by practical men, and report- 

 ed for the general good ; and where farmers' sons could learn 

 the occupation of their life under the most competent farmers 

 of the state ; aided by a course of instruction that would ena- 

 ble them to analyze their soil, learn its deficiencies, and pre- 

 scribe remedies. The further discussion of the resolves was 

 postponed till the next meeting of the board. 



Reports of Delegates. 



The reports from the delegates appointed to attend the exhi- 

 bitions of the different agricultural societies in the State, which 

 took place during the past autumn, were read and accepted. 

 From these reports, and those read at a subsequent meeting, the 

 following extracts are made of such portions as are deemed to 

 be of general interest, and as embody suggestions valuable to 

 those who have the management of these exhibitions. 



Exhibition of the Essex Society. 



The Essex Society has, in many respects, been the model 

 agricultural society of Massachusetts. It has, for a long series 

 of years, not only done^ but has had the wisdom to record its 

 doings. Among its members have been numbered some of the 

 most distinguished agriculturists and friends of agriculture in 

 this country. It has not yet failed to have among its members 

 those who worthily wear the mantle of its departed prophets. 



In attending their exhibition, held at Salem, the 25th of 

 September last, I expected to learn much and was not disap- 



