TABLE OF CONTENTS. I. Abstract of the Records, from 1792 to 1858. II. Report to the State, for 1858, with a List of Premiums offered for the year 1859, and an account of the Ayrshire Stock, imported V. An Article on Horseshoeing, by William Miles. PREFACE. THE following Abstract of the Records of the Massachusetts Society for Promoting Agriculture, has been prepared by its Recording Secretary for the use of its members, with additional copies for general distribution, in compliance with a vote passed at the last annual meeting. It was not intended that a complete synopsis should be made of the records and publications of the Society, amounting to many volumes, but simply enough to show its origin and progress, the nature of the duties it has performed, and the principles of its action to the present time. It was also thought that this volume would form a fit commencement to a new series of publications for general use, upon topics connected with the pursuits of agriculture, which it is proposed to issue, as materials for the purpose may accumulate. With these objects in view, many things of an apparently trivial nature have been inserted, but which, it is hoped, will interest some readers, while others of seemingly greater importance have been omitted. It is hoped also that these pages will furnish some hints at least, towards a history of the progress of Agriculture in this State, since the early days of the Commonwealth. There was also another motive for this publication, which it is proper to state. In the winter of 1857, at a meeting of gentlemen interested in the promotion of Agriculture, held at the State House, the Massachusetts Society and its doings formed the principal topic of discussion. The remarks made upon that occasion were in the main honorable to the Society and to those who took an active part in its proceedings. It was evident, however, that great misapprehension existed in the minds of some as to this Society, and more especially as to the doings of its Officers and Trustees. It was asserted, by one gentleman quite competent to judge in the matter, that there was very great ignorance on the part of the people about the Society, and that many persons knew nothing about it; that it was supposed to have only a respectable existence in State Street, and that it spent the annual bounty of the State in good dinners.* The language made * For the full report of the discussion, see the Annual Report of the Agriculture of Massachusetts, by C. L. Flint, 1857, p. 8. use of upon that occasion is not quoted, because the gentleman who used it has publicly disclaimed holding such opinions himself, though the report would lead one to infer that he entertained them in common with others. It is sufficient for the present purpose, to state generally the ideas attempted to be conveyed. The meeting was a large and public one,* and its doings were officially reported and published in the State Annnal Report, and they have probably been read by every farmer in the State. Silence, therefore, on the part of those who have the honor and integrity of this time-honored association in their charge, would be to many minds a virtual admission of the correctness of these opinions. If the idea generally prevails that the money of the State is misapplied by the Society, or by its Officers and Trustees; that from their social position, or from any other cause, there is no sympathy on their part with the agricultural interests, and that they make no efforts to promote the objects for which they are associated, then their usefulness is at an end, and the force of their recommendations and example must cease to have any effect. Painful, therefore, as it is to all honorable minds to be compelled to refute slander or to do away with the effects of ignorance however inexcusable, it becomes a duty to do so, when the cause which this Society was instituted to advance, is injuriously affected by silence on the part of those who are assailed. This task, however, is easily accomplished. The labors and services of the Officers and Trustees are, and ever have been, entirely gratuitous in the strictest sense of the word. They meet one day in every month, besides frequent meetings of Committees, and it is rare that a Trustee is ever absent. No part of the funds of the Society is ever diverted by the Trustees from their legitimate objects; and, to use language forcible as it is homely, they work hard and find themselves. The Officers and Trustees wish to take no credit for this, for it is only what is done by the Officers and Trustees of the other Societies. It is believed that the members of the State Board of Agriculture are the only gentlemen who are indemnified for their services in the cause of Agriculture, and the error has probably arisen from the Massachusetts Society, which is a distinct organization, possessed of no powers or privileges except *It was called to consider the propriety of forming a new State Society. No statement was made, however, as to the duties which were to devolve upon it. The State Board of Agriculture, in its constitution and powers, is a perfect State Society, its Board composed of members from every County Society, its constituency every farmer in the State. It is difficult to conceive of a better organization for the purpose. such as are conferred upon every other Agricultural Society in the State, being confounded in some minds with that highly useful Board. It is not, however, sufficient that the funds of the Society and the bounty of the State should not be misapplied. Its mission is an important one, and should be executed by those who feel a lively interest in promoting the science of Agriculture. This is not likely to be the case, if intrusted to those who have only a "respectable existence in State Street." Nobody, however, will pretend that to make a good Trustee, it is necessary that he should actually hold the plough, plant the corn or wield the scythe, any more than that a good merchant must load and "unload his own ships, keep his own books, or hoop his own casks. The Massachusetts Society has always acted upon the principle of selecting for its Officers and Trustees, those whose position enabled them to give their time and attention to the subject, who were also interested in agricultural pursuits, and who, by their counsels and experience, were best calculated to serve with zeal and judgment the best interests of the farmer. The evidence of this in the time past is to be found in the following pages; in the time present, from the fact that the aggregate of farming property held and improved by the twelve Officers and Trustees, taken from actual returns as reported at the last annual meeting of the Society, is probably as great in amount and value, as that of any twelve farmers in the Commonwealth.* It is quite evident, therefore, if their doings do not give satisfaction, it is not from a want of interest in the subject of Agriculture. The Society has received, through the kindness of Henry F. French, Esq., of Exeter, a Treatise "On the History, Cultivation, Composition, and Feeding Properties of Mangold Wurzel,' by John Tynan." It has been reprinted for general circulation, in order to call attention in Massachusetts, to this useful root, as an object of field culture. It has likewise reprinted from the Royal Agricultural Society's Journal for the present year, a very clear and practical Treatise on "Horseshoeing," a subject which, as the writer says, although it "may not legitimately come under the head of Agriculture, it is nevertheless so intimately connected with the interests of the Agriculturalist, and has been so wofully neglected by him," that it is a sufficient reason for attempting to arouse him to a sense of its * Farming property, including wood, pasture and arable land, owned, occupied and improved by the Officers and Trustees, acres, 3484 Farm stock, horses and cattle used or bred for beef, milch or work, importance in a pecuniary point of view, by a publication of his views upon it, in a work devoted to Agriculture. There have likewise been added, three Essays, for which prizes have been awarded by the Trustees, on subjects of deep interest, and which are now receiving much attention in all parts of the State, more particularly those upon Agricultural Education, and upon Fairs or Markets. All these articles have an independent paging, in order that each may be complete in itself, and adapted for separate circulation. The future publications of this character will be regularly numbered, so that they may be preserved in their proper order and bound in volumes to suit the convenience of the reader. It is proper to state that, in the publication of selected articles and of essays, the Trustees do not intend to be considered as approving every idea or theory contained in them, whether of principle or practice. They do not, however, propose to circulate and give currency to anything upon the subject of Agriculture, which they do not think will be suggestive and useful, and such as will tend to advance its science and practice. It is also proper to add, that the Secretary is solely responsible for the comments contained in the preface, as well as for those which may occasionally be found in the following pages. Boston, December, 1858. |