18 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



dent, whom I am sorry to say is not able to be with us to- 

 day, — it seems to me that we must put forth an extra effort 

 to keep the work of the Board up to the high standard it has 

 attained. 



And, gentlemen, when you return to your homes, I hope 

 this meeting may be remembered as one that you are glad to 

 have attended, and in the future when you call up the mem- 

 ory of the meeting that you may have nothing but pleasant 

 recollections. 



It has been customary in the past, and has been continued 

 to the present time, to invoke on our proceedings the Divine 

 blessing, and I now introduce to you Rev. John P. Forbes 

 of Taunton, who will offer prayer. 



Prayer by Rev. Mr. Forbes. 



The Chairman. I will now introduce the Orient 

 Quartette of Taunton. 



Song by quartette. 



The Chairman. Ladies and gentlemen: I presume you 

 have heard in times past of the Bristol County Agricultural 

 Society. In the absence of the president I have to intro- 

 duce to you one of the vice-presidents of that society, who 

 is noted throughout the Commonwealth and throughout the 

 United States for the poultry he exhibits in different places. 

 I now have the pleasure of introducing Mr. Philander 

 Williams of Taunton. 



Mr. Williams. Gentlemen of the State Board of Agri- 

 culture and citizens of Taunton and vicinity : The Bristol 

 County Agricultural Society has just elected for president 

 the mayor of Taunton, who has another place to fill on the 

 programme. I was told last evening at six o'clock that I must 

 say a few words to you, but I had not seen the programme 

 and I did not know what was expected of me, so you will 

 excuse me if I give you only a few words of welcome. I 

 will admit that I have been very much interested in this agri- 

 cultural society, which I have served as treasurer and pres- 

 ident for many years, but for the last four or five years my 

 mind has naturally been filled with other business and I find 

 I have gotten rusty. You will excuse me if I do not give 

 you the beautiful address our past president would have 

 given you had he been here to-day. 



