4 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



have got a fiTture ahead of us, but if we are going to come in 

 to the entire fulfillment of our destiny, we need you, we 

 need the State Board of Agriculture, we need that most 

 excellent college at Amherst, and we need such organizations 

 as the Hampden County Improvement League, which is doing 

 a wonderful work. 



Springfield is located in a valley, and in whichever way 

 you may look, to the west or to the east, your eyes rise. I 

 think our destiny lies in the hills, " whence cometh our 

 help." You are very welcome. 



Secretary Wheeler. Li the absence of Mr. Bursley I 

 have asked Mr. Abner Towne of Williamstown to respond 

 to the mayor's welcome. 



RESPONSE FOR THE BOARD, BY MR. TOWXE. 



Ladies and Gentlemen : I see there are not very many 

 ladies, but there are enough to hold the balance of power. 

 I don't know Avhy they should put it on to me in this case, 

 a buckwheat farmer from Berkshire Coimty, to come here 

 and speak to these men of experience, but I am going to do 

 the best I can. 



In answer to Mayor Denison I want to tell him that he 

 does not have to worry a great deal about the food supply of 

 this place. Although I have never been in Springfield be- 

 fore, I have known something of Springfield through the 

 " Xew England Llomestead," and otherwise. These farms, 

 gentlemen, that have been neglected on the hillsides are going 

 to be better tilled ; that is one thing that will bring more food 

 to Springfield. Also, there is a spirit of co-operation through 

 all the country now that is bringing the people closer to- 

 gether. They are going to work hand in hand, and where 

 one lags another is going to help out; and so I think you 

 needn't worry a great deal about the food snpply. 



As to the matter of transportation, well, there will always 

 be a lot of fellows, you know, who want to get their hands 

 into the pockets of the public and get all they can for trans- 

 porting people and merchandise and food products. The 



