56 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



may be a confusion in their respective reports. Mr. King, 

 from whose character, acquirements, and position great advan- 

 tages might have been expected, has not been able, by reason 

 of the multiplicity of his engagements elsewhere, to be present 

 on several occasions when we have visited different sections of 

 the county. We lamented this circumstance, as we had antici- 

 pated much assistance from so distinguished a friend of agri- 

 culture. 



Another member of this committee, a man of great practical 

 knowledge of farming operations, and deeply interested in the 

 progress of our society, has been prevented by sickness from 

 taking such a share in the work assigned us as he would gladly 

 have assumed until the larger portion of the season had passed. 

 The presence of both these gentlemen was indispensable to 

 the proper performance of our duties and to the fulfilment 

 of the society's expectations. 



Notwithstanding these discouragements, enough has been 

 seen and done to justify the appointment of this or some simi- 

 lar commission. It furnishes the means of seeing many of the 

 best farmers in the county; learning their success, and the 

 methods by which it was attained; witnessing their experi- 

 ments and results; collecting and diffusing a knowledge of 

 various practices and opinions ; forming an acquaintance with 

 the different soils, capacities, and productions of different por- 

 tions of the county; studying the relations between agriculture 

 and the mechanic arts, in which so many of our population are 

 engaged; all of which objects are vital to the farming interests 

 of the count}'. To be visited by such a committee gratifies 

 many persons who from choice or by necessity seek retirement, 

 and are seldom seen from home — men deserving of encourage- 

 ment, and capable of imparting much sound agricultural infor- 

 mation. Distant from the busier scenes of life, they not only 

 foster the virtues essential to manly character, but they also 

 often attain great practical skill in their profession. To them 

 we arc indebted for many valuable suggestions. Such a com- 

 mission brings to many information respecting the society 

 which they would not otherwise have, interests them in its ob- 

 jects and operations, gives opportunities for inquiries, explana- 

 tions, and inducements to join us, and to make themselves and 



