SECRETARY'S REPORT. 



Perhaps there never was a time in the history of our 

 -country when it was so important that large quantities 

 of corn and wheat, of beef and pork, and especially of 

 wool should be grown as at present, to feed and clothe 

 the multitudes of mechanics and manufacturers now 

 directly or indirectly engaged in our country's service, 

 to feed and clothe her vast armies and navies, and also 

 to send abroad in exchange for foreign gold, and the 

 productions of other regions for which our gold cannot 

 now be spared. • 



It was decided, therefore, that any efforts or econo- 

 mical expenses on the part of our society, calculated 

 u to benefit those who are engaged in agriculture and 

 industrial pursuits, by inciting to investigation, to 

 reflection, and to action, and by furnishing facilities for 

 a free interchange of views, thereby to call forth the 

 results of individual experience and observation, and to 

 elicit practical and scientific information" which would 

 aid, even in a small way, in the production and manu- 

 facture of these, and many other necessary articles, 

 would be appropriate to the times, and consistent with 

 the most patriotic views. The exhibition, therefore, 

 with its accompanying discussions, and following publi- 

 cations were ordered, and occurred as usual. 



. The exhibition, the tenth under the present organi- 

 zation, really the thirteenth of the society, was held in 

 Fitchburg, on Tuesday and Wednesday, September 30th 

 and October 1st, 1862. A severe storm raging through- 

 out nearly the whole time rendered the attendance 

 less than usual, and detracted from the receipts, while 

 the expenses were materially increased, and yet the 

 exhibition in the main, especially considering the 



