Extracts from the Statement of the Commissioner of Agricultural 

 Survey to the Committee of JJgriculture of the House of Repre- 

 sentatives of Massachusetts^ toho were " Ordered to inquire^ what 

 progress had been made in the Agricultural Survey of the State^^^ 

 7 Feb. 1838. 



The Resolve for an agricultural survey of the state bears date the 

 12th April, 1837. The appointment of a commissioner was made 

 on the 27th of the ensuing May ; and he received his instructions 

 for its prosecution on the 15th of June. 



The resolve requires of the commissioner that he should " make 

 an Agricultural Survey of the State ; collect accurate information 

 of the state and condition of its agriculture, and every subject con- 

 nected with it ; point out the means of improvement ; and make a 

 detailed report thereof with as much exactness as circumstances will 

 admit." 



The service, it will be seen, was in a measure indefinite ; but suf- 

 ficiently large, since it required " the collecting of accurate informa- 

 tion and reporting with exactness and in detail, on the state and con- 

 dition of the agriculture of the Commonwealth ; and every subject 

 connected with it, as well as the means of its improvement," involv- 

 ing of course the improvements practicable and desirable. 



The Executive, in his letter of instructions- to the commissioner, 

 expresses an opinion that the execution of the survey would require 

 two years. The committee, who reported the resolve were of opin- 

 ion that three years would be required. The commissioner has 

 hoped to bring it within the term prescribed by the Executive. It 

 will be seen, however, diat from the advanced state of the season 

 when he received his instructions, and the preparations indispensable 

 before he could commence his examinations, a valuable part of the 

 season was necessarily lost. Besides which, at the request of the 

 committee of the Executive council, he was in attendance upon them 

 a fortnight at their session in August and September, in determining 

 the necessary expenses of the survey. 



' Appendix A. 



