358 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



Massachusetts Board of Agriculture. 



This association, composed of tliree delegates from each 

 of the incorporated agricultural societies in the Common- 

 wealth, was convened Sept. 3, 1851, at the State House in 

 Boston.^ 



On motion of Mr. B. V. French, a committee of five were 

 chosen to report on the subject of agricultural education, 

 and the best measures to be adopted for the encouragement 

 of such education. 



Upon this motion, a very able debate followed. The 

 speakers did not difl'er as to the necessity and propriety of 

 legislative action, but several of them advocated the action 

 of public-spirited individuals jointly with the Legislature, as 

 in the foundation of the State normal schools and the reform 

 school at Westborough. The discussion occupied most of 

 the forenoon session. 



The following gentlemen were then chosen this committee, 

 viz. : Pres. Marshall P. Wilder, John W. Proctor, William 

 C. Fowler, J. H. W. Page and Sanmel Reed. 



The Board met according to adjournment, at the State 

 House, Boston, Jan. 14, 1852. 



At this meeting a constitution and by-laws was adopted, 

 the first article of which was as follows : — 



1. The objects of this association are the encouragement of 

 agricultural education, and the improvement of agriculture in 

 all its departments in this Commonwealth. 



President Wilder, in behalf of the committee on agricul- 

 tural education, submitted a preamble and resolves, as 

 expressing the views of said committee. One of these 

 resolves, at least, is worthy of being quoted in this connec- 

 tion, namely : — 



Resolved, That Massachusetts, by an enlightened policy and 



,wise legislation, has rendered her system of education worthy 



of her exalted reputation, and that this board most earnestly 



desire her to complete that system, by providing kindred in- 



• Agriculture of Massachusetts, 1851, p. 435. 



