until the appointment of Henry Colman of Massachusetts as 

 a State Commissioner in 1836 that such improvement took 

 definite shape ; and, notwithstanding his reports were sus- 

 pended in 1840, they are now regarded as treasures of great 

 practical knowledge, especially those in regard to the charac- 

 ter of our soils, the reclamation of waste lands, and the adapta- 

 tion of crops. These awakened a more thorough examination 

 into the subject ; and the seed then sown finally germinated, 

 and produced the Central Board of Agriculture. This was 

 organized March 20, 1851, Marshall P. Wilder as president, 

 Henry W. Cushman and John W. Lincoln as vice-presidents, 

 Allen W. Dodge corresponding, and Edgar K. Whitaker 

 recording secretaries, with three delegates from each of the 

 incorporated societies. At a meeting of the Central Board 

 of Agriculture, Jan. 14, 1852, it was resolved to petition the 

 Legislature in the following resolution : — 



"Resolved, That, inasmuch as agriculture is the chief occupation of 

 her citizens,' the Commonwealth, in the organization of her government, 

 should be provided with a department of agriculture, with offices com- 

 mensurate with the importance of the duties to be discharged, and the 

 labors to be performed." 



This action resulted in the establishment of the present 

 State Department, which succeeded the Central Board of 

 Agriculture. 



This Act was passed in the session of 1852 ; and Mr. Flint 

 entered upon his duties as Secretary of the Board in Febru- 

 ary, 1853, which office he has filled with signal ability and 

 fidelity for a quarter of a century, and with honor to the 

 Commonwealth, having fully justified the unqualified in- 

 dorsement of Hon. Edward Everett, president of Harvard 

 College at the time of his graduation, who earnestly recom- 

 mended him for election. 



One of the best things which Massachusetts has ever done 

 to advance the cause of agriculture was the creation of this 

 Department of Agriculture, and locating the office of the sec- 

 retary at the Capitol. This has been a source of great con- 

 venience to the public, as reliable information can there be 

 obtained from the best sources, and where the secretary is 

 always at his post. This centre of information has become 

 of great importance, where persons have been put in com- 



