various ways. The Agricultural College, made possible by the act of Congress of 1862, has exerted a broad influence for the dissemination of an agricultural education. The Board of Agriculture, organized in 1870, has performed a large amount of practical work, holding meetings in nearly every town of the State, and issuing annual reports, which have widely distributed the information gained at those meetings and other important agricultural facts. The Grange, first organized in New Hampshire in 1873, has extended its influence until, at the present time, it has an active organization in ninety-one towns, holding more than two thousand meetings annually for the discussion of agricultural subjects. The Granite State Dairymen's Association, organized in 1884, has held numerous meetings and instilled a desire for a better knowledge of dairy matters. The Grange Fair Association, organized in 1886, witnessed a year of remarkable success, and is aiding agricultural education in a practical way by a friendly rivalry in the products of the farm.

Numerous other agricultural organizations have come into existence during the period. We would not forget the work just taken up by the Granite State Poultry Association, and the success of their first annual exhibition. These are organizations that have come into existence within thirty years. The establishment of an agricultural experimental station, which is about to take place, with an annual appropriation of $15,000, is a valuable acquisition to the long list of educational organizations, diffusing an agricultural knowledge and promoting a higher education among the tillers of the soil. The number of agricultural papers has largely increased since 1857. Then the family paper was passed through the neighborhood; now, there are few farm homes without several agricultural publications, and many a farmer would find it a long evening without his daily paper. What a change within thirty years!

The opportunities offered the farmer for social culture are increasing in an equal degree. As a person becomes better educated, there is a tendency to increase sociability, and, by the means previously referred to, by the society of summer visitors, and urged by the demands of an educated mind, there is no society which the farmer and his family may not be fitted to enter on an equality with people of culture and refinement.

There may exist in the minds of some a doubt in regard to the financial advancement, in regard to the profitable cultivation of the soil. During the first half of the present century the land was comparatively new and contained much of the primitive fertility, which, by continued cropping, has become in a measure exhausted. Science has come to our aid. Commercial fertilizers have come into use, and, by the aid of improved machinery, crops are cultivated and harvested at greatly reduced expense. Shipping facilities have increased also. We have not the time to go into detail in this matter, but figures will prove that a bushel of corn or a pound of butter can be produced at as small expense as thirty years ago. We refer now to those farms of the State that are worth cultivating, and not to the hilly sections with thin soil that can only be profitably used in the growth of wood and lumber. Farm buildings are in better condition than at the beginning of the period we are considering. We submit that the same amount of thought and intelligent application of labor will bring as remunerative results as at any time in the history of the State.

We refer to political advancement, for it is fast being demonstrated that it is the farmer's duty to take such interest in the political affairs of the State as will secure a just regard for his own interests. By the mental training received in various ways, he is enabled to hold, and fast being called to, positions of honor and trust previously filled only by professional officeseekers. In no way is the advancement of agricultural interests more clearly shown than by the recognized ability of those engaged in it for participating in the public affairs of the State. We predict that in the future more positions of honor and trust will be filled by the sturdy yeomanry of New Hampshire, socially and educationally fitted by the various means to which we have referred.

We would by no means assert that agriculture has advanced to its highest standard; but, after calm reflection and consideration, we are led to believe there is cause for congratulation, and that we have attained a position from which the greatest success may be reached. As representatives of the various agricultural organizations, let us join hands in a friendly grasp for the con

tinued advancement of the agriculture of New Hampshire until it shall merit and receive a place second to none in the further development of the resources of our State.

Prof. C. H. Pettee, of the Agricultural College, Hanover, delivered an address upon the work of the Agricultural College, which will also be found in its proper place in this report. Brief addresses followed, by Hon. J. D. Lyman, of Exeter, G. S. Philbrick, of Tilton, J. E. Carr, of Haverhill, and J. S. Perry, of Rindge, members of the Board from their respective counties; Charles McDaniel, of Springfield, master of the State Grange, who spoke earnestly for that vigorous organization; J. E. Shepard, of New London, president of the New Hampshire Grange Fair Association; Col. J. M. Weare, of Seabrook, and others. This closed the public exercises at the pavilion, and there can be no doubt of the success of the meeting. The leading agricultural organizations were represented, and the hundreds of farmers from the central and southern sections of the State made it distinctively agricultural, and an occasion of instruction and enjoyment.

The following resolutions were unanimously adopted:

Resolved, That the thanks of all in attendance at this meeting are hereby tendered Col. S. H. Dumas for many courtesies extended on this occasion.

Resolved, That it is the unanimous expression that the annual field-meeting of the Board of Agriculture for 1888 be held at Boar's Head.

After brief remarks by President Humphrey, the meeting was adjourned.

ANNUAL MEETING AT CONCORD.

The Board met at the office of the secretary in Concord, Wednesday, August 31, 1887, being the date provided by the by-laws for the annual meeting of the Board. Present: Messrs. Humphrey, Mason, Perry, Whittemore, Carr, Lyman. The records of the previous special meeting were read and accepted. Voted, To proceed to the election of president and secretary.

Hon. Moses Humphrey was unanimously re-elected president. N. J. Bachelder was unanimously re-elected secretary. On motion, the by-laws were so far amended as to provide for the election of a vice-president. W. H. H. Mason, M. D., was unanimously elected vice-president.

Voted, To hold farmers' institutes in each county of the State, at such dates and places, from November 1 to April 1, as arranged by the secretary and the member of the Board from the county where the institutes were to be held.

Voted, To hold an annual field-meeting at Hampton, at such date in August, 1888, as may be arranged by the president and secretary.

The Board adjourned.

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