MASS. BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 671 



Since the organization of this Board, one of its members, 

 Hon. John W. Lincoln, a most valuable member, has been 

 called away by death. Greatly devoted to the cause of agri- 

 cultural improvement, a man of extensive information, and 

 high practical ability, the loss of Mr. Lincoln is severely felt, 

 not only by his immediate associates, but by the community 

 in which he lived, and the State, which, in various public 

 offices, he long and faithfully served. 



The vacancy thus occasioned has been filled by the election 

 of Harvey Dodge, of Sutton. 



Another vacancy has been caused by the removal of James 

 S. Grennell from the Commonwealth. No election has taken 

 place to fill this vacancy. 



In reviewing the proceedings of the Board, it will be observed 

 that much difficulty has been encountered, notwithstanding 

 the most untiring efforts, in obtaining a person, in all respects, 

 qualified to discharge the responsible duties of Secretary. 



Regarding the success of the enterprise as depending, in no 

 small degree, upon the character and ability of the person to 

 whom its chief interests are intrusted, the Board have placed 

 the standard of qualifications high. They feel that the Secre- 

 tary should be, not only a man of science, but of business 

 talent; not only a theoretical agriculturist, but a practical 

 farmer. 



To find these qualifications united in one man at the present 

 time, when comparatively few scientific men are connected . 

 with agriculture, has been no easy task. There are such men 

 in the country, but most of them occupy stations of profit and 

 influence beyond the reach of this Board. They do not, how- 

 ever, despair. Their expectations now are, that the office will 

 be speedily filled. 



In compliance with the terms of the law under which they 

 act, the Board have now " submitted a detailed report of their 

 proceedings;" and it only remains for them "to make such 

 recommendations and suggestions as, in their view, the inter- 

 ests of agriculture may require." 



The annual returns of the several agricultural societies are 

 now required by law to be made, on or before the tenth day of 

 January in each year. This, under the present organization, 

 is an inconvenient arrangement. 



