670 MASS. BOAUD OF AGRICULTURE. 



tality would be quite as generous as are experienced by the 

 strangers who attend the Teachers' Institutes. By such a 

 system the following objects would be accomplished. 



1. A vast amount of knowledge concerning the principles 

 of agriculture could be imparted to the farmers in every part 

 of the State. It would, in fact, form an ambulatory agricul- 

 tural school, where the young, especially, would learn very 

 rapidly from the best masters. 



2. It would give an opportunity to men well qualified, after 

 looking at the chemical and geological constitution of the soil, 

 to make suggestions to the farmers of the different districts as 

 to improved modes of culture. 



3. It would furnish a good mode of communicating intelli- 

 gence to the farmers of discoveries and improvements in agri- 

 culture, of distributing new varieties of seeds, and making 

 known new and improved breeds of domestic animals. 



4. It would probably bring to light new manures in different 

 parts of the State by the researches of the lecturers, and of the 

 farmers after they were put upon the track. 



5. It would awaken a deeper interest in agricultural pur- 

 suits, and give them increased respectability. 



6. Opportunity might be given during the meetings of the 

 Institute for visiting some of the best conducted farms and 

 gardens in the vicinity, and thus witnessing the operations of 

 scientific principles. 



I know of but two difficulties in the way of the immediate 

 adoption of such a plan. One is, that as yet we have no Sec- 

 retary to the Board, an indispensable pre-requisite. Another 

 is, that we have no pecuniary means placed at our disposal for 

 any purpose. The first difficulty, I trust, will soon be removed, 

 and for getting rid of the second, I take the liberty of suggest- 

 ing that a petition be presented to the legislature, now in 

 session, for the means requisite for establishing and putting in 

 operation a Farmers' Institute. 



Respectfully submitted, 



EDWARD HITCHCOCK. 



Amherst College, January 11, 1853. 



