10 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



legitimate improvements of agriculture, and I think wc shall 

 be progressive enough for the most zealous farmer in the country. 



And now, gentlemen, let me say a word with regard to the 

 opportunities we possess for discharging these duties to which 

 I have referred. By a long and honorable career, our society has 

 secured a position, which by elevating its influence multiplies its 

 chances for effort. I believe you will all agree that it has won 

 the respect of the farmers of our county, and of the community 

 generally. It has been deemed worthy of the most liberal 

 consideration of many of our best citizens. A valuable library 

 has in this way been collected which furnishes constant oppor- 

 tunity for reference and information. And a large agricultural 

 interest has learned to be stimulated by our rewards and 

 instructed by our advice and counsel. 



But above all, our association has been deemed a worthy 

 recipient of one of the best farms in our county, a legacy 

 bequeathed to us for the promotion of the science of agriculture. 

 I think I do not estimate this bequest from Dr. Treadwell too 

 highly, when I look upon it, not only as a compliment to the 

 reputation we have won as a society, but as by far the most 

 valuable means we possess for carrying on the work we have 

 begun. A farm for experiment and observation — how much 

 is involved in this design ! Under the care of an intelligent 

 farmer, and conducted by a competent committee, the accumu- 

 lation of facts which may be made there, must be full of interest 

 and instruction. We may learn within our own borders, if we 

 will, the changes of the seasons, from year to year, the chances of 

 crops in our latitude, the cultivation best adapted to our soil, 

 the effects of manures, the expense and benefits of drainage, 

 the relative value of products, without incurring that expendi- 

 ture of time and money which renders experimental farming so 

 hazardous and so generally unprofitable. I trust this golden 

 opportunity will not be wasted ; and I most earnestly urge upon 

 you the adoption of a system which shall render the records of 

 the Treadwell farm an addition to our agricultural literature, 

 which shall be creditable to ourselves and profitable to those, 

 who, coming after us, assume our duties and inherit our 

 opportunities. 



