SECRETARY'S REPORT. 23 



PUBLIC MEETING OF THE BOARD 



AT WORCESTER. 



The animal meeting of the State Board of Agriculture, for 

 the discussion of agricultural topics, commenced its sessions at 

 Washburn Hall, Worcester, Tuesday, Dec. 12, at 12 o'clock, M., 

 and was called to order by Dr. George B. Loring, of Salem. 



REMARKS OF DR. LORING. 



Gentlemen of the Board of Agriculture : — The hour has 

 arrived which lias been selected as the time for the annual 

 meeting of the board, for the discussion of those agricultural 

 subjects which arc connected with the interests of the Common- 

 wealth. 



The board intended, in establishing these meetings, to furnish 

 an opportunity for a free and easy discussion, not only among its 

 own members, but also among those agriculturists in the State 

 who take an interest in the practical business of farming, and 

 who also endeavor to enlighten their understandings upon those 

 questions which come before every tiller of the soil. 



Our meetings heretofore have been attended with abundant 

 success. There are members of the board present who will not 

 soon forget the interesting discussions which we had at Spring- 

 field, where Professor Agassiz first appeared among us, and 

 attracted the attention of the Commonwealth, by the sound 

 sense and practical wisdom of his sviggestions, drawn not from 

 practice, but from scientific investigations. And we have all 

 congratulated ourselves and the Commonwealth, that those 

 suggestions were so fully appreciated that he has been placed 

 upon this board, to mingle his profound science with our 

 practical knowledge, and to bestow his wisdom like the abun- 

 dant rain, for the benefit of that great industry which we 

 represent. 



These meetings resulted in so much good, that we have been 

 induced to call this session at Worcester, in the heart of the 

 Commonwealth, and in the midst of a large farming district, 

 hoping that the discussions might be so fully attended that 

 the minds of the farmers of this section would be roused to 



