THIRTY-SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE MASSACHUSETTS BOARD OF AGRICULTURE, WITH RETURNS OF THE FINANCES OF THE FOR 1888. BOSTON: WRIGHT & POTTER PRINTING CO., STATE PRINTERS, 18 POST OFFICE SQUARE. STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE, 1889. Members ex officiis. HIS EXCELLENCY OLIVER AMES. HIS HONOR J. Q. A. BRACKETT. HON. HENRY B. PEIRCE, Secretary of the Commonwealth. J. C. NEWHALL of Conway, GEO. S. TAYLOR of Chicopee Falls, Hampshire, Franklin & Hampden, F. K. SHELDON of Southampton, 1892 1891 D. A. HORTON of Northampton, 1892 1891 W. H. SNOW of Becket, 1890 1891 S. A. HICKOX of South Williamstown,. 1891 1891 CHARLES A. GOESSMANN, Ph.D., Amherst, Chemist to the Board. Secretary. 1891 1892 1890 1892 1892 1890 1890 . 1892 1892 1890 THE THIRTY-SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. To the Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The work of the Board of Agriculture the past year has been along the usual lines of effort. Most of the members have exhibited a marked interest in their duties. Some of them have spent much valuable time, for which they receive no compensation. The delegates to the several fairs have in almost every instance attended to the duty assigned them ; making detailed reports to the Board of the work of the several societies as well as of their annual exhibitions. One hundred and twenty-five farmers' institutes have been held the past year under the auspices of the several incorporated agricultural societies. Most of these have been attended by at least one member of the Board. The member attending has usually presented a lecture upon the subject which the institute was called to consider. These meetings are growing in interest, and are believed to be doing a good work in spreading information and in encouraging the agriculturists of the State to attempt those branches of farming which promise the surest returns for the investment of capital and the employment of labor. The three days' public meeting of the Board, held at Easthampton, December 4, 5 and 6, was planned for work in the same direction. Most of the lectures were short, and dealt with specific branches of |