until the appointment of Henry Colman of Massachusetts as 

 a State Commissioner in 1836, that such improvement took 

 definite shape ; and, notwithstanding his reports were sus- 

 pended in 1840, they are now regarded as treasures of great 

 practical knowledge, especially those in regard to the charac- 

 ter of our soils, the reclamation of waste lands, and the adapta- 

 tion of crops. These awakened a more thorough examination 

 into the subject ; and the seed then sown finally germinated, 

 and produced the Central Board of Agriculture. This was 

 organized jNIarch 20, 1851, Marshall P. Wilder as president, 

 Henry W. Cushman and John W. Lincoln as vice-presidents, 

 Allen W. Dodge corresponding, and Edgar K. Whitaker 

 recording secretaries, witli three delegates from each of the 

 incorporated societies. At a meeting of the Central Board 

 of Agriculture, Jan. 14, 1852, it was resolved to petition the 

 Legislature in the following resolution : — 



"Resolved, That, inasmuch as agriculture is the chief occupation of 

 her citizens, the Commonwealth, in the organization of her government, 

 should be provided with a department of agriculture, with offices coni- 

 mensiu'ate with tlie importance of the duties to be discharged, and the 

 labors to be performed." 



This action resulted in the establishment of the present 

 State Department, which succeeded the Central Board of 

 Agriculture. 



This Act was passed in the session of 1852 ; and IMr. Flint 

 entered upon his duties as Secretarj^ of the Board in Febru- 

 ary, 1853, which office he has filled with signal ability and 

 fidelity for a quarter of a century, and with honor to the 

 Commonwealtli, having fully justified the unqualified in- 

 dorsement of Hon. Edward Everett, president of Harvard 

 College at the time of his graduation, wRo earnestly recom- 

 mended him for election. 



One of tlie best things which Massachusetts has ever done 

 to advance the cause of agriculture Avas the creation of this 

 Department of Agriculture, and locating the office of the sec- 

 retary at the Capitol. Tins lias been a source of great con- 

 venience to the public, as reliable information can there be 

 obtained from the best sources, and where tlie secretary is 

 always at liis post. Tills centre of information lias become 

 of great importance, where persons have been put in com- 



