30 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



the Board itself exercising only an indefinite and nominal supervision 

 of his labors. Having given the whole subject, as we believe, a 

 careful consideration, we would unanimously recommend that the 

 Board be subdivided into committees of such a number as can con- 

 veniently work in an efficient manner, each committee having assigned 

 for its consideration a particular subject which it maybe thought best 

 to investigate. These committees should be instructed to enter into 

 communication with the farmers of this and other States, and from 

 the facts thus procured, make an annual report to the whole Board 

 in January. Believing that but slight dependence can be placed upon 

 circulars addressed to the farmers by mail, which are too often laid 

 aside and forgotten, we would recommend that any circulars designed 

 to procure answers fur information, be sent to the members of the 

 Board in the respective societies, and that they personally attend to 

 the procuring the answers to the same from a sufficient number of 

 persons to meet the requisitions of the circular, and return the same 

 to such members of the Board as may have the subject of the circular 

 in charge. We would also recommend, that each member urge upon 

 farmers the necessity of forming, in each town, an efficient farmers' 

 club, Avhich shall eventually become the channel of communication 

 with this Board. 



A proper blank should be transmitted to them, and as the best 

 form of such a blank may be an important consideration, we also 

 recommend the appointment of a committee to prepare and report to 

 the Board, at this time, a document for this purpose. 



We recommend, finally, that a book shall be kept in the office of 

 the Board, in which shall be entered such subjects as may be sug- 

 gested, from time to time, for examination, and that all persons be 

 invited to add to the list any topic which they may think worthy of 

 investigation. 



Believing that some course similar to that which we have recom- 

 mended, must eventually be adopted, if the Board would maintain a 

 lengthy existence, we submit these suggestions to your consideration, 

 not supposing them perfect, but as a basis upon which your wisdom 

 and future experience may build a superstructure which shall cause 

 the Massachusetts Board of Agriculture to be respected for its useful- 

 ness, through many generations yet to come. 



JoHis^ C. Bartlett. 



E. W. Bull. 



Jabez Fisiiek. 

 ' Paoli Lathrop. 



James S. Grennell. 



Charles L. Flint. 



