122 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



condition of the agriculture of the State is highly gratifying. 

 Those who, from their situation and opportunities of observa- 

 tion, are the most competent judges, entertain the opinion that 

 there has been as much advance during the past year as could rea- 

 sonably have been expected ; and I may add, that the facts which 

 have fallen under my own observation have led me to the same 

 conclusion. The answers returned to the questions proposed 

 in the circular already frequently alluded to show at the same 

 time the deep interest taken in agricultural pursuits and the 

 skill and general intelligence of those engaged in them. Per- 

 haps it would be difficult to estimate too highly the importance 

 of doing all that can be done, by judicious action on the part 

 of the government, to keep alive and cherish an earnest desire 

 of constant progress in this department of industry. It should 

 be remembered that every improvement in the general system 

 of farming, by the great increase of agricultural products and 

 the consequent greater ease of providing the means of sub- 

 sistence, must contribute materially to the comfort and happi- 

 ness of every citizen of the Commonwealth, while it adds 

 vastly to the aggregate wealth of the State. The encourage- 

 ment that has hitherto been afforded by the government of 

 Massachusetts has been fully appreciated by the farming com- 

 munity, and has for a long time been, and still is, producing its 

 desired effect in increased crops and improved modes of cul- 

 ture. If we may judge of the future by the past, we cannot 

 doubt that a continuance of the same liberal policy will be fol- 

 lowed by similar good results. 



CHARLES. L. FLINT, 



Secretary of the Board of Agriculture. 



Boston, January 10, 1855. 



