10 



acquired, of the least expensive iliieshing machine effectual for the 

 farmer's purposes. He has likewise engaged a model, which he 

 expects will be sent to him, of an excellent steaming apparatus for 

 the preparation of feed for cattle. x\ll these are matters of his own 

 private expense to be allowed or not at the pleasure of the Executive. 



The correspondence of his office has been considerable ; and is 

 daily extending — it being his determination to avail himself of every 

 opportunity at home or abroad of obtaining such information as may 

 benefit the agriculture of the state. 



He has likewise, once of his own movement, and a second time 

 at the instance of the Committee on Agriculture, addressed the 

 members of the Legislature at large on this great interest of the 

 state ; being desirous to communicate whatever information he pos- 

 sessed for the general benefit ; and to awaken a just concern in the 

 subject with others. 



Exact returns from the difierent towns of the number of acres 

 cultivated or under improvement and the amounts of agricultural 

 produce obtained, and of live stock, he has found it impossible by 

 his individual exertions to obtain. In this respect he hopes the 

 government will aid the survey by some general law. The returns 

 of the assessors made seven years since, give very imperfect state- 

 ments of the present agricultural condition of the Conmionweahh. 



His report, in the present stale of the survey, must be partial and 

 imnerfect. No reports of the soils, of the forest trees, of the domes- 

 tic animals, and of the insects, have as yet been submitted, of which 

 so !ai s they should be connected with agriculture he is promised, 

 when presented, permission to avail himself. 



The Legislature have been pleased by a resolve to assign him the 

 use of a room in the State-house for an office ; but as the grant was 

 only during the session, and as th? inconvenience of making a re- 

 moval at the close of the session would be considerable, he has hesi- 

 tated to avail himself of their kindness. A permanent office, with the 

 usual accommodations, where he might exhibit samples of wool, silk, 

 seeds and plants, and such plans or models of farm buildings, imple- 

 ments, or machinery, as it might be convenient to place there ; and 

 where the intercourse between the members of the government and 

 the commissioner of this department could be easy and frequent, 

 mi^ht bj ot public advantage. 



