BOULDERS IN RIYER BEDS. 179 



rials which were iii the drift have dropped to the bottom and re- 

 mained inactive. In all our gravel pits you see at the bottom 

 large accumulations of boulders, where, when the excavation 

 was begun, it appeared there was only gravel. Why is that? 

 Because the gravel has been removed and the large boulders left. 

 That is what our rivers have done, and the very presence of large 

 boulders in our river beds in greater numbers than seem to exist 

 right and left is only the evidence that the river had not power 

 to remove those large boulders, and cannot be adduced as evi- 

 dence of the transporting agency of water. By examining the 

 action of these superficial waters we obtain information of the 

 very nature of the deposits wliich were formed by currents, and 

 therefore, if we knew the general character of the drift from one 

 State, we would at once have gained very valuable information 

 concerning the deposits formed of these minor materials which 

 have been accumulated elsewhere. It would be an expensive 

 task, but one worthy to be encouraged, and which I have no 

 doubt would be of essential service. 



Prof. Gamgee, at the request of several gentlemen, was invited 

 by the President to give an account of his method of preserving 

 meat, which he did, to the evident satisfaction of the audience. 

 The substance of his remarks will be found embodied in the 

 address already given. 



At the conclusion of Prof. Gamgee's remarks the meeting 

 adjourned. 



THIRD DAY. 



Thursday, December 10. 



The Board met at 10 o'clock, and Capt. John B. Moore, of 

 Concord, was elected Chairman for the day. 



Capt. Moore, on taking the Cliair, said : — 



Gentlemen of the Board of Agricnhure, — I am much obliged 

 to you for the honor you have conferred upon me in electing me 

 to preside over your deliberations to-day. Without attempting 

 to make any speech, I will endeavor to do my duty to tlie best 

 of my ability. 



I have the pleasure of introducing to you Mr. X. A. Willard, 

 of the " Utica Herald," a pioneer in the efforts to enlighten the 

 community in regard to the production of butter and cheese. 



