APPENDIX. 185 



REQUIREMENTS OF THE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE, 



In the Report of the Secretary of the Board for 1866, page 307, 

 is the following preamble and vote : — 



" Whereas, The State Board of Agriculture is of the opinion that the 

 Legislature intended, in return for the bounty granted to the agricultural 

 societies by the State, that the societies should, by their printed reports, 

 as well as by other means, furnish to the people valuable information 

 concerning the subject for which premiums are offered by them ; and, 



" Whereas, Their reports are generally deficient in this respect, owing 

 principally to the neglect of committees in elaborating their reports to 

 the societies by describing more fully the objects in competition, the 

 reasons of success or failure ; 



" Voted, That the several agricultural societies receiving the bounty of 

 the State be required hereafter to offer, annually, three premiums of not 

 less than eight, six, and four dollars, respectively, for the best reports of 

 committees who recommend the awards of premiums. 



In 1870, the Board— 



" Voted, That no society receiving the bounty of the State shall, after 

 the present year, bestow any premiums or gratitudes on grade or native 

 bulls. 



" Voted, That the various agricultural societies of the Commonwealth 

 be requested to organize an annual meeting for lectures and discussions 

 at such time and place as may be convenient to each society ; these meet- 

 ings to be denominated The Farmers' Institutes of Massachusetts. 



In 1872, the Board— 



" Voted, That in the opinion of this Boai'd it is very desirable that the 

 various agricultural societies in this Commonwealth maintain scholar- 

 ships at the Agricultural College, and select the young men who are to 

 receive the benefit of the same by competitive examination, and so far as 

 practicable, from those who intend to become farmers or gardeners. 



In 1873, the Board— 



" Voted, That, hereafter, the Secretary be insti-ucted to withhold his 

 approval of the payment of any state bounty to any society which shall 

 bestow any premiums or gratuities on grade or native bulls, 

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