492 MASS. BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



whatever way it is got, it is better than ignorance. Your memorialists are 

 persuaded that a good foundation in useful science, especially of chemistry, is 

 the best foundation for the enlightened and profitable practice of the art of 

 husbandry. 



Your memorialists do not feel it necessary, on this occasion, to dwell at 

 length on the details of such an institution for agricultural education as it may 

 be proper to establish. These details may be properly left to the wisdom and 

 discretion of those who may compose the board of agriculture, should the 

 Legislature think it expedient to establish such a board. The most important 

 point is to lay the foundation, and to leave the development to time and expe- 

 rience. It may only be observed that provision for instruction by lectures, 

 and the use of the best text books on the one hand, and for practice in an ex- 

 perimental farm on the other, seem to be the two great features of an institu- 

 tion for agricultural education. 



For further views relative to the foundation and endowment of such an insti- 

 tution, your memorialists respectfully refer to the report of the commissioners 

 above alluded to. 



MARSHALL P. WILDER, President. 



HENRY W. CUSHMAN, 

 JOHN W. LINCOLN, 



Vice Presidents. 



EDWARD EVERETT, 

 JOHN W. PROCTOR, 

 J. H. W. PAGE, 

 WM. C. FOWLER. 

 BENJ. V. FRENCH, 



Executive Committee. 



Allen W. Dodge, Cor. Secretary. 

 Ed. K. Whitaker, Rec. Secretary. 



February 4, 1852. 



REPORTS OF COMMITTEES. 



Ploughing. 



Ploughing, as it is first in order of the operations on the 

 farm, so, when viewed in all its bearings, will be found first 

 in importance. It is a science imperfectly understood by farm- 

 ers. Thousands, who think they know all about it, will laugh 

 at this expression ; but still it is the result of long continued 

 observation. It has ever been a leading object of attention 

 by our agricultural societies, and shared a full proportion of the 

 premiums awarded. We should not be surprised to learn that 



