138 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



THIRD DAY. 



The meeting was called together at 9.30 a.m., Mr. Sessions 

 in the chair. 



Secretary Stockwell presented the following vote of thanks, 

 which was unanimously adopted : — 



The Massachusetts State Board of Agriculture tenders its 

 thanks to the AVorcester County Horticultural Society for the use 

 of its hall for the sessions of this winter meeting, and also to its 

 president and secretary, who have done everything possible to 

 render our visit to this city delightful. They have anticipated our 

 needs and provided for every want with a courtesy that will be 

 gratefully remembered by the members of this Board. 



Mr. John G. Avery (of Spencer) ofiered the following 

 vote of thanks, which was unanimously adopted: — 



That a vote of thanks be given the Worcester Agricultural 

 Society for its invitation to meet here and for its cordial co-opera- 

 tion in every effort to make this session pleasant to the Board and 

 profitable to the farmers of Worcester County, and also to the 

 retiring president of this society, Mr. Hogg, for the reception and 

 entertainment which was so heartily enjoyed. 



The Chairman. I have the agreeable pleasure of appoint- 

 ing, to preside at this session of the Board, Mr. Ellsworth, 

 who has been for some time a member of the Board, and 

 who is well acquainted with the people of this vicinity. 



Mr. Ellsworth. It gives me pleasure to preside this 

 morning, and especially to introduce to you the lecturer. 

 The subject is " Sheep raising in Massachusetts." This in- 

 dustry has been somewhat neglected. I remember that a 

 good many years ago it was customary for nearly all the 

 farmers in the western part of Worcester County to keep a 

 few sheep. I think by that neglect the larms have deterio- 

 rated in fertility and value. I hope to see the time when the 

 hills of Worcester County and of Massachusetts will again 

 be covered with nice jflocks of sheep. The lecturer this 



