8 



Gentlemen, I have spoken with freedom; for I have 

 co-operated with this Board from its inception, and am 

 familiar with its operations. I have ever felt a deep interest 

 in the agriculture of Massachusetts, especially in the welfare 

 and usefulness of this department ; and I think facts fully 

 substantiate the statements I have made. I have therefore 

 thought it but just to submit to you my views in regard to 

 what it has accomplished in the first quarter of a century 

 of its existence. This I have done without any intention of 

 magnifying its importance, and only for the purpose of ren- 

 dering justice to those who assisted in laying its foundations, 

 and also to those who have labored with us for its advance- 

 ment. Most of its progenitors have been removed from their 

 earthly mission. Only one of the original members (he who 

 now addresses you) and Mr. Secretary Flint are now con- 

 nected with the Board. Nearly all the rest of the twenty 

 original members constituting the Board have passed away. 

 If any think I have spoken too favorably of the Board, or 

 what it has accomplished in the first twenty-five years of its 

 existence, let them compare the condition of agriculture at the 

 time of its organization with the subsequent improvement, in 

 well-defined and systematic knowledge, of the present day. 



When we consider the embarrassments which most institu- 

 tions have to labor under in their early history, I think we 

 may regard the operations of the Board as reasonably suc- 

 cessful. Our movements are in the right direction ; and, in 

 the future as in the past, time will greatly promote the pros- 

 perity and wealth of the State. 



For myself, I desire to be thankful that I have been per- 

 mitted to witness the progress already made by the Board. 

 Soon all of those who were banded together at its organiza- 

 tion will have ceased from their labors on earth ; but I rejoice 

 that I have lived to see the doubts and opposition of that day 

 pass away, and the Board receive, as it does, the public favor 

 and the fostering care of the government. But we cannot 

 stop here. Much has been accomplished ; but greater results 

 are to be attained. We have but just entered the field which 

 Massachusetts is to occupy in the successful cultivation of 

 her lands ; and we confidently believe the time may not be 

 distant when science shall have improved the arts of cultiva- 

 tion to its utmost extent, and we shall better understand the 



