MEETING AT PITTSFIELD. 11 



In consequence of the favorable report of Dr. Beebe, in 

 relation to the curability of the disease, and the probability 

 that it was not contagious, the Commissioners did not deem it 

 necessary to take any further measures for its suppression. 

 It continued to decline, and at this date no cases of it are known 

 to exist. The disease in its progress has entailed great losses 

 on the farmers of that section of the State, and filled them with 

 fear for the future, but there is apparently no occasion for alarm, 

 or reason for the recurrence of the disease, other than what may 

 exist in its epidemic or malarious character. 

 For the Commissioners, 



Levi Stockbridge. 



PUBLIC MEETING OF THE BOARD 



At PITTSFIELD. 



The Annual Meeting of the State Board of Agriculture, was 

 held at Pittsfield, in the chapel connected with Rev. Dr. Todd's 

 church, on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, December 7th, 

 8th, and 9th. 



The Board was called to order at 2 o'clock, on Wednesday, 

 by Alexander Hyde, of Lee, Chairman of the Committee on 

 Meetings, who addressed the assembly, as follows : — 



Gentlemen of the Massachusetts Board of Agriculture. 



It is my duty as chairman of the committee of arrangements,, 

 to welcome you to Berkshire. I see that my friend Flint has 

 put me down on the programme for an address of welcome. I 

 did not consent to make a speech, but simply to say we are glad 

 to see you. I know not what it is to feel big with a speech. 

 I have labored sometimes to be delivered from a speech, 

 but never to be delivered of one. I can say, however, most 

 heartily, we are glad to see the Massachusetts Board of Agri- 

 culture in this ultramontane county. Individual members . 

 of the Board, we have frequently welcomed to our homes, 

 but this is the first time we have been honored with a session of 

 the body in the county. We regret that the season of the year 

 is so unfavorable for the examination of our agriculture. Our 

 hills look bleak in winter, and some of you may think that we 



