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secretary to go forward with the work. Acting under their 

 direction the following circular was sent to the boards of 

 assessors of each of the several cities and towns in the Com- 

 monwealth : — 



COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



State Board of Agriculture, Secretary's Office, 



Commonwealth Building, Boston, June 16, 1891. 



To the Assessors of Massachusetts. 



Gentlemen : — The following law has been enacted by the 

 Legislature : — 



[Chap. 280.] 



An Act to authorize the state board of agriculture to col- 

 lect AND circulate INFORMATION RELATING TO ABANDONED 

 FARMS. 



Be it enacted, etc., as follows : 



Section 1. The State Board of Agriculture is hereby authorized to 

 collect all necessary information in regard to the opportunities for 

 developing the agricultural resources of the Commonwealth through 

 the repopulating of abandoned or partially abandoned fai-ms, and cause 

 the facts obtained, and a statement of the advantages offered, to be cir- 

 culated where and in such manner as the said board may consider for 

 the best interests of the Commonwealth. 



Sect. 2. In order to properly carry out the provisions of section one 

 of this act, a sum not exceeding two thousand dollars may be expended, 

 and the bills for such expenditures properly approved by the persons 

 authorized by said State board to investigate the matter, shall be sent to 

 the auditor of the Commonwealth, who shall certify them in the same 

 manner as other claims against the Commonwealth. 



Sect. 3. This act shall take effect upon its passage. 



Approved May 4, 1891.. 



The object is to make known opportunities for the purchase, at 

 a low price, of farms in Massachusetts. You will of course notice 

 that the law does not require you to assist in the work, but it is 

 believed that you will be interested in a scheme which has for its 

 end the prosperity of your towns, and will be willing to help the 

 Board of Agriculture in gathering information that can be spread 

 before the public to the advantage of the owners of abandoned 

 and partially abandoned farms, and of would-be purchasers. 



The towns which contain such farms will be benefited by having 

 them owned and improved by persons residing upon them. The 

 plan of action is not yet fully matured ; but, without question, the 

 first thing to be done is to get a list and description of such farms. 



