iv ADVERTISEMENT. 



and such statements required of them, as will secure very- 

 desirable improvements, and render the future volumes 

 of the Transactions more complete and reliable than the 

 present. 



The greatly increased interest in the subject of agricul- 

 ture, too, which is pervading all parts of the Common- 

 wealth, cannot fail to enhance the efficiency of the several 

 societies. 



The State Board having, after considerable delay, suc- 

 ceeded in securing the services of Charles L. Flint, Esq., 

 as its permanent Secretary, a gentleman of high qualifi- 

 cations for the office and greatly devoted to the interests 

 of agriculture, we may confidently anticipate that a new 

 and powerful impulse will be given to the cause in 

 Massachusetts. 



The present volume consists of two parts ; first, an 

 abstract of the Transactions of the several agricultural 

 societies enjoying the patronage of the State ; secondly, 

 the Proceedings of the State Board of Agriculture. An 

 Appendix is added, containing the Laws of the Common- 

 wealth in relation to agricultural societies. This, it is 

 believed, will be found convenient for reference by all 

 persons concerned in the management of such societies. 



The important enactment of the present legislature, 

 changing the time when the annual returns of the socie- 

 ties must be made in order to secure the bounty of .the 

 State, is deserving of particular attention. 



A.W. 

 May, 1853. 



