666 MASS. BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



and study of agriculture and kindred branches in the educa- 

 tional system of the Commonwealth, and finally, to promote 

 the objects of this Board by such other ways as he may sug- 

 gest, or they approve. 



Your committee having considered the duties above named 

 as naturally pertaining to the office of the Secretary of this 

 Board, next attended to the other subject committed to them, 

 viz., that of designating a person for the office. 



The qualifications of several distinguished gentlemen have 

 received the favorable consideration of your committee, and 

 they are happy to report, that after mature deliberation, they 

 unanimously recommend Edward Hitchcock, President of 

 Amherst College, as a gentleman eminently qualified to receive 

 this trust, and to discharge the duties of the office. 



All which is respectfully submitted. 



MARSHALL P. WILDER, Chairman. 



The foregoing report having been accepted with great 

 unanimity, as expressing views of the Board in regard to the 

 duties of its Secretary, and the high qualifications required for 

 that office, a ballot was taken and it appeared that Edward 

 Hitchcock had received a unanimous vote. He was accord- 

 ingly declared elected, and, not being present, the Secretary was 

 directed to notify him of the action of the Board. 



The committee appointed at the last meeting to select such 

 subjects relating to improvements in agriculture, as were most 

 worthy of attention, submitted a report, in which a large num- 

 bor of topics were enumerated. The report was accepted, and 

 many of the subjects assigned to different members. 



The third meeting was held on the 7th day of September. 

 It was convened by the Secretary, for the purpose of acting 

 upon the following communication received from Dr. Hitchcock: 



Boston, August 21, 1852. 

 Dear Sir : 



To the uniooked for announcement in your letter, that the 

 Board of Agriculture of this State had unanimously chosen 

 me as their Secretary, I have given all the attention which so 

 distinguished an honor, coming from a body so respected, de- 



