26 



They have their reports. And what does it all amount to ? It amount 

 this, that all these different Societies, as a general remark, have t 

 operating upon different principles, that is, without any well establis 

 and uniform principle ; and hence they do not arrive at any well establis 

 and uniform results. 



For instance, in the article of Indian corn, what do we ascertain frorr 

 the reports of all the Agricultural Spcieties in this State? We ascer 

 nothing that is true in regard to any one point in regard to the raising of 

 dian corn in this Commonwealth, because we have no uniform systen 

 which statistics are made. For instance, in one Society they hav 

 weighed, and in others measured ; and in three Societies that I know 

 they include a portion of the stalks, allowing seventy-five pounds to 

 bushel. Statistics which must be based on such various methods of as 

 taining the quantity of an article raised, do not establish any thing. 



Just so in relation to the product of milch cows ! We have no statis 

 which can be brought all together, by which an average can be made of 

 product in different parts of the Commonwealth. My learned friend, f 

 Amherst, used the right figure, " perfect chaos." It proves nothing. 



This is the fact in relation to agriculture so far as I understand the i 

 ter. If this be the fact, what must be done ? What is contemplated in 

 resolution? A Central Board ! A Board of Agricultural Education! 

 Board of Agricultural Statistics ! A Board which shall establish a 

 formity of action among all the Societies, so that their statistics will 

 valuable. We all feel the vast importance that has been given to 

 cause of education by the establishment of the Massachusetts Board of I 

 cation, and the vast improvement that has been produced in our comi 

 schools in consequence of the action of that Board. I suppose we I 

 there a Board similar to what is wanted in agriculture, if we wish to 

 complish what our friend from Worcester County desires, a Board wl 

 shall establish uniform returns from all the Counties, 



We do establish such a Board with regard to education. Every dis 

 school in this Commonwealth has to make its returns precisely on the s 

 data and the same principle. Then we can make out our aggregates, 

 can make our deductions, and we can learn lessons of wisdom in relatio 

 our schools. Now I suppose that precisely this is wanting with regar 

 agriculture. And since this State makes liberal grants every year 

 Agricultural Societies, would it not be right, would it not be expedi 

 that the State should require systematic and regular returns, the sam< 

 are made from the common schools ; and unless those returns are a 

 rately made, according to the prescribed form, that the Society should 

 receive the bounty of the State. Without that, I have no hope of 

 thing being done. 



From the position in which I stand, [Secretary of the Commonweal 

 I have had this subject brought home to me. The returns have been 

 to me. They are all chaos. But by the assistance of a very able gei 

 man, a sort of collection has been made from the returns of all the S< 



