CONGRATULATORY. 141 



to answer for the Board of Agriculture, but I happen to occupy 

 the chair this evening, and I cannot allow the kind words 

 which have been uttered by my friend to pass unnoticed. In a 

 word, I will return to him, in behalf of the Massachusetts Board 

 of Agriculture, our sincere thanks for his kind expressions. 

 We hope sincerely that all his wishes may be realized, and that 

 we may again meet on these hills of Berkshire, which, as he 

 has truly said, are clothed with verdure to the top. 

 Adjourned to Thursday, at 10 o'clock. 



THIRD DAY. 



Thursday, December 9, 1869. 



The Board was called to order at 10 o'clock, by Col. 

 Wilder. 



Dr. DuRFEE, of Fall River, was elected president for the day, 

 and Col. Wilder, in introducing him, said : — 



Dr. Durfee is well known to you and throughout the State as 

 one of the most faithful and enterprising members of the Board. 

 He is the treasurer of the Agricultural College, and not only 

 that, but he holds a treasure-bag of pretty large capacity in his 

 own right. 



Dr. Durfee. I cannot but say, gentlemen, that I am very 

 happy to meet you on the hills of Berkshire. I have taken 

 some pains to come this distance, because I knew I should be 

 well paid if I did come here. I know something about the 

 agricultural spirit prevalent in this section of our State, and by 

 coming here I wanted to let you know that we have an interest 

 in this great subject in the southern and eastern part of the 

 State. I have had a very delightful time since I have been 

 here, and have not been disappointed in my anticipations. 



I have known, as I said, something of the interest manifested 

 in agriculture in this section of the Commonwealth in years 

 past. I was once here as a delegate of the Board of Agricul- 

 ture, and I had then a fine opportunity of seeing what you were 

 doing and what you were disposed to do. This subject is one 

 in which we all, through every part of the Commonwealth, 

 ought to be interested. My friend has alluded to my position 

 as treasurer of the Agricultural College. I do hold that 

 position, and I am looking with extreme anxiety about these 



