THE 



THIRTY-FOURTH Al^NUAL REPORT 



OF THE 



SECRETARY 



OF THE 



BOAED OF AGEICULTUEE. 



To the Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of 



Massachusetts. ' 



The farmino' interests of the Commonwealth are in about 

 the same condition as represented in the last annual report. 



Another year's work has been done. Farmers have sup- 

 ported their families and made a few permanent improve- 

 ments ; if there is no marked prosperity, neither is there 

 agricultural distress. 



In common with all other civilized States, Massachusetts 

 attempts to encourage agriculture by rewards and immuni- 

 ties. Early in our history, societies were established under 

 the charter of the General Court, and bounties were paid to 

 them upon condition that they should make return of their 

 transactions to the Secretary of the Commonwealth. In 

 1851, under the lead of the late Hon. Marshall P. Wilder, 

 a convention of delegates from the county societies was held 

 in Boston. It included the leading agriculturists of the 

 State, and at the head of the list was the venerable ex- 

 Governor Lincoln of Worcester. The purpose of this gather- 

 ing was "the promotion of the cause of agricultural educa- 

 tion." This meeting had an immediate influence. The next 

 year, by an act of the Legislature, the present State Board 

 of Agriculture was created, to consist of the Governor, the 

 Lieutenant-Governor, the Secretary of State, three members 

 at large appointed by the Governor, and a delegate from 



