8 Address. 



mens of the most desirable farm produce or domestic animals, and for the 

 best essays upon specified topics. 



The Massachusetts Society for the Promotion of Agriculture was incorpo- 

 rated in 1792 and has always been composed largely of gentlemen of wealth 

 and culture, residing in Boston or its vicinity. 



In addition to the §ther more common modes of advancing the interests 

 of the great art this society has repeatedly imported valuable animals of 

 choice breeds from England and France, and distributed them for service in 

 various parts of the Commonwealth. The farmers of Middlesex county 

 organized a society in H94 and those of Berkshire in 1811. The people 

 of other counties soon followed their example, until now there are thirty 

 incorporated societies enjoying the liberal patronage of the State. Most of 

 these own from thirty to sixty acres of land, and suitable buildings for their 

 fairs, which are attended by from 3,000 to 25,000 visitors. Their total, 

 real and persoual property amounts to $350,000 and their annual premiums 

 exceed $25,000. 



The New England Agricultural Society under the leadership of its tal- 

 ented founder, Dr. George B. Loring, in addition to its most successful 

 annual exhibitions has instituted at the farm of the Massachusetts Agricul- 

 tural College grand trials of the implements and machinery of husbandry. 

 These have awakened much interest and competition among manufacturers 

 throughout the United States, and have been exceedingly serviceable to 

 the farmers of New England, affording them the opportunity of seeing in 

 operation a great variety of the best machines. 



After the first establishment of agricultural societies, the next step for 

 the improvement of our farming was the employment already alluded to, 

 of the learned commissioner, Henry Colman, to make an agricultural survey 

 of the State and suggest measures for promoting this important interest- 

 From his entire familiarity with the history and progress of English agri- 

 culture he was admirably qualified for the task. In his final report he 

 urges the necessity of special education for farmers as follows : "In order 

 to render the agricultural profession more attractive and respectable we 

 must seek its intellectual elevation. Improvement of the mind confers a 

 rank which wealth cannot purchase, and commands a respect which the 

 proudest aristocracy may envy. It is too late in the day to decry the value 

 of science in agriculture. Who can name an art, or trade, or business, in 

 which knowledge is a disadvantage, or a prejudice to success ; or in which 

 indeed, it is not a substantial help ? Why should agriculture, combining 

 as it does so many reasons and opportunities for the application of skill 

 and knowledge, be an exception to every other art and business?" 



