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LIBRARY

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MASSACHUSETTS

AGRICULTURAL

COLLEGE

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DATE DUE

CARD

LAWS RELATING

State Boaed of AGEicriTUEE

AND

Incorporated agricultural Societies.

TOGETHER WITH THE

REGULATIONS OF THE BOAED.

1889.

BOSTON :

WRIGHT & POTTER PRINTING CO., STATE PRINTERS.

18 Post Office Squaee.

1889.

63^. S

Commontoealt^ of IgassacIjusBtts.

Office of State Board of Agriculture,
Boston, March 5, 1889.

At the annual meetino- of the State Board of Agriculture,
held in Boston, February 5, 6 and 7, 1889, the following
vote was passed : —

Voted, That the laws governing the Board of Agriculture and
the agricultural societies, together with the requirements of the
Board, be printed as an appendix to the secretary's report for
1888, and also in pamphlet form for distribution to the several
societies.

In conformity to this vote, this pamphlet has been pre-
pared for the convenience of parties interested.

WILLIAM R. SESSIONS,

Secretary.

STATUTES RELATING TO THE STATE BOARD
OF ACIRICULTURE.

PUBLIC STATUTES.— CHAPTER 20.

INDEX.

1. Board, how constituted.

2. Tenure of office of members Va-
cancies, how filled.

3. Where and how often to meet; to
receive no compensation.

4. Secretary and clerk and their sal-
aries.

5. Board to be overseers of agricul-
tural college.

Board to investigate subjects relat-
ing to agriculture, take donations,
etc.

to tix days for annual meetings of
agricultural societies, etc.

to report to general court.
Secretary to publish abstracts, etc.

may appoint agents.

Section 1. The governor, lieutenant-governor, and fo^nYumted'
secretary of the commonwealth, the president of the
agricultural college, one person appointed from and by
each agricultural society which receives an annual
bounty from the commonwealth, and three other per-
sons appointed by the governor with the advice and
consent of the council, shall constitute the state board
of agriculture.

Sect. 2. One-third of the appointed members of
said board shall retire from office on the first Wednes-
day of February in each year, according to their ap-
pointments. The vacancies thus occurring shall be
filled by the governor and council, or by the agricul-
tural societies, as the offices were before filled, and the
persons thus appointed shall hold their oflflces for three
years from the expiration of the former terms. Otlier
vacancies ma}' be filled in the same manner for the
remainder of the vacant terms.

Tenure of
office of ruem-
bere.

Vacancies,
how tilled.

Laws Relating to the

Where and
how often to
meet.

To receive no
conipetiHiUion,

Secretary and
clerk and their
salaries.

Salary estab-
lished.

Clerical
services.
Lectures.

Salary estab-
lished.

Board to be
overseers of
agricultural
college.

to investi-
gate subjects
relating to
agriculture,
take dona-
tions, etc.

Sect. 3. The board shall meet at the state house
or at the agricultural college at least once in each year,
and as much oftener as may be deemed expedient. No
member of said board shall receive compensation from
the commonwealth except for personal expenses when
engaged in the duties of the board.

Sect. 4. The board may appoint and prescribe
the duties of a secretary, who shall receive a salary of
two thousand dollars a year ; and who, at such times
as the board shall approve, may employ a clerk at a
salary of eleven hundred dollars a year, and may ex-
pend for other clerical services in his office, and for
lectures to be given before the board of agriculture at
its annual and other meetings, a sum not exceeding
four hundred dollars.

[Section 4 has been amended by Acts of 1883, chap.
184, sect. 1 : The secretary of the board of agriculture
shall receive an annual salary of twenty-five hundred
dollars, and at the same rate for any part of a year.
Also, by Acts of 1884, chap. 66, sect. 1 : The sec-
retary of the board of agriculture may expend for other
clerical services in his office, and for lectures to be
given before the board at its annual and other meetings,
a sum not exceeding eight hundred dollars per annum.
Also, by Acts of 1887, chap. 245, sect. 1 : The clerk of
the secretary of the state board of agriculture shall
receive an annual salary of twelve hundred dollars.]

Sect. 5. The board shall be a board of overseers
of the Massachusetts Agricultural College, with powei's
and duties to be defined and fixed by the governor and
council, but such powers shall not control the action of
the trustees of said college, or negative their powers
and duties as defined by chapter two hundred and
twenty of the acts of the year eighteen hundred and
sixty-three.

Sect. 6. The board shall investigate such subjects
relating to improvement in agriculture in this common-
wealth as they may think proper, and may take, hold
in trust, and exercise central over donations or be-
quests made to them for promoting agricultural educa-
tion or the general interests of husbandry.

Board of Agriculture.

Sect. 7. They may fix the days on which the
different agricultural societies shall commence their
exhibitions, and may prescribe forms for and regulate
the returns required of said societies, and shall furnish
to the secretary of each society such blanks as they
may deem necessary to secure uniform and reliable
statistics.

Sect. 8. They shall annually, on or before the
fourth "Wednesday of January, by their chairman or
secretary, submit to the general court a detailed report
of their doings, with such recommendations and sug-
gestions as the interests of agriculture may require.

Sect. 9. The secretary of the board shall in each
year cause to be made and published for distribution
as full an abstract of the returns of the agricultural
societies as he may deem useful.

Sect. 10. He may appoint one or more suitable
agents to visit, under the direction of the board, the
towns in the commonwealth for the purpose of inquir-
ing into the methods and wants of practical husbandry ;
of ascertaining the adaptation of agricultural products
to soil, climate, and markets ; of encouraging the
establishment of farmers' clubs, agricultural libraries,
and reading-rooms ; and of disseminating useful in-
formation in agriculture by means of lectures or other-
wise ; and such agents shall annually in October make
to the secretary detailed reports.

Board to fix
days for an-
nual meetings
of agriculliiral
Bocteties, etc.

to report to
general court.

Secretary to
publish
abstracte, etc.

may appoint
agents.

An Act authorizing TO"wrNS and cities to provide
FOR THE Preservation and Reproduction of
Forests.

[Chapter 255, Acts of 1882, Sections 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.]

Section 1. The voters of any town, at a meeting Preservation

I 11 II 1 i> 1 11. 1 ^'"^ culture of

legally called for the purpose, and the city council of forest trees by

» . , n t • . „ cities and

any city, may, for the purpose of devoting a portion of towns.
the territory of such town or city to the preservation,
reproduction and culture of forest trees for the sake of
the wood and timber thereon, or for the preservation
of the water supply of such town or city, take or pur-
chase any land within the limits of such town or city,

Laws Relating to the

Description of
tlie land taken
to be recorded
In the registry
of deeds.

Board of
forestry to
serve witiiout
pay; to
appoint
Ijeepers.

may lease
buildings on
land.

Proceeds of
sale of prod-
ucts to be paid
to board.

may make appropriations of money for such taking or
purchase, may receive donations of money or land for
the said purposes, and may make a public domain of
the land so devoted, subject to tlie regulations herein-
after prescribed. The title of all lauds so taken, pur-
chased or received shall vest in the Commonwealth, and
shall be held in perpetuity for the benefit of the town
or city in which such land is situated.

Sect. 2. A town or city taking land under this act
shall, within sixty days after such taking, file and cause
to be recorded in the registry of deeds for the county
or district in which the land is situated a description
thereof sufficiently accurate for identifying the same.
In case such town or city and the owner of such land
do not agree upon the damage occasioned by such
taking, such damage shall be ascertained and deter-
mined in the manner provided in case of the taking of
land for a highway in such town or city, and such town
or city shall thereupon pay such sums as may finally
be detei'mined to be due.

Sect. 3. The state board of agriculture shall act as
a board of forestry, without pay, except for necessary
travelling expenses, and shall have the supervision and
management of all such public domains, and shall
make all necessary regulations for their care and use
and for the increase and preservation of the timber,
wood and undergrowth thereon, and for the planting and
cultivating of trees therein. The said board shall ap-
point one or more persons, to be called keepers, to
have charge, subject to its direction, of each such public
domain, enforce its regulations and perform such labor
thereon as said board shall require ; and said keepers
shall have the same power to protect such domain from
injury and trespass, and to keep the peace therein as
constables and police officers in towns.

Sect. 4. Said board may lease any building that
may be on any such public domain on such terms as it
shall deem expedient. All sums which may be derived
from rents and from the sale of the products of any
such domain shall be paid to said board and shall be
applied by itj so far as necessary, to the management.

Board of Agriculture. 9

care, cultivation and improvement of such domain ;
and any surplus remaining in any year shall be paid
over to the city or town in which such domain is situ-
ated. Said board shall not, however, expend upon or
on account of any such public domain in any year a
greater amount than it receives as aforesaid.

Sect. 5. A city or town in which any such public Buildings for

instruction

domain is situated may erect thereon any building for and recreation

,,.. . . .iijii 1 ™*y be built.

public instruction or recreation, provided that such use
thereof is not in the judgment of said board inconsist-
ent with the purposes expressed in section one.

An Act to Establish an Agricultural Experiment
Station.

[Chapter 212, Acts of 1882, Sections 1, 2 and 3.]

Section 1 . An agricultural experiment station shall Experiment

° "• station estab*

be established and maintained at the Massachusetts iished.
agricultural college in the town of Amherst.

Sect. 2. The management of said station shall be Management
vested in aboard of control of seven persons, of which board of
board the governor shall be president ex officio, and of
which two members shall be elected from the state board
of agriculture, by said board of agriculture ; two from
the trustees of the Massachusetts agricultural college,
by said trustees ; one from the Massachusetts society
for promoting agriculture, by said society ; and the
remaining member shall be the president of the Massa-
chusetts agricultural college. The said board shall
choose a secretary and treasurer,

[Section 2 has been amended by Acts of 1888,
chap. 333, sect. 1. The management of said station
shall be vested in a board of control of eleven persons,
of which board the governor shall be president ex
officio, and of which two members shall be elected
from the state board of agriculture, by said board of
agriculture ; two from the trustees of the Massachu-
setts agricultural college, by said trustees ; one from
the Massachusetts society for promoting agriculture,
by said society ; one from the Massachusetts state

control.

10

Laws Relating to the

Proviso.

Board to
make report
to the legis-
lature.

Agricultural
experiment
station to
make annual
report to
board of agri-
culture.

Board of
Bupervisors of
statistics.

grange, by said state grange ; one from the Massachu-
setts horticultural society, by said society ; and the
remaining members shall be the president of the
Massachusetts agricultural college, the director of
the Massachusetts agricultural experiment station
and the secretary of the state board of agriculture ;
provided, however, that no person so elected by any of
the above named boards or societies shall continue to
be a member of said board of control after he has
ceased to be a member of the board or of the society
by which he was elected. The said board shall choose
a secretary and treasurer.]

Sect. 3. The said board of control shall hold an
annual meeting in the month of January, at which time
it shall make to the legislature a detailed report of all
moneys expended by its order, and of the results of
the experiments and investigations conducted at said
station, with the name of each experimenter attached
to the report of his own work, which detailed report
shall be printed in the annual report of the secretary
of the state board of agriculture.

Ak Act Relating to the Annual Report or the
Board of Control of the Ag^jicultural Ex-
periment Station.

[Chapter 105, Acts of 1883.]

The board of control of the agricultural experiment
station shall annually, in the month of January, make
a detailed report to the state board of agriculture of all
moneys expended by its order, and of the results of
the experiments and investigations conducted at said
station, with the name of each experimenter attached
to the report of his own work.

The Board op Supervisors of Statistics.
[P. S., Chapter 31, Section 17.]
Sect. 17. The secretary of the commonwealth, the
secretaries of the boards of agriculture, of education,
and of the state board of health, lunacy, and charity,
and the chief of the bureau of statistics of labor,
shall constitute a board of supervisors of statistics,
who shall serve without pay.

Board of Agriculture.

11

An Act Concerning the Printing and Distribution

OF certain Reports and Documents.

[Chapter 369, Acts of 1885, Section 1.]

Sect. 1. There shall be printed annually the
number of copies of documents and reports specified
in this section, the same to be numbered in the series
of Public Documents, and distributed as herein pro-
vided : Report of secretary of board of agriculture,
twelve thousand copies ; twenty-five copies thereof to
be furnished to each member of the legislature.

This has been amended by Acts of 1888, chap, 256 : —

Sect. 1. There shall be printed annually fifteen
thousand copies of the report of the secretary of the
state board of agriculture ; and twenty-five thousand
copies of the report of the board of control of the
state agricultural experiment station.

Sect. 2. Of the reports of the board of control of
the state agricultural experiment station provided for
in section one of this chapter, fifteen thousand copies
shall be bound with reports of the secretary of the
state board of agriculture, and eight thousand copies
shall be for the use of the said board of control.

Documents
and reports.

Agriculture.

Additional
reports of the
secretary of
the state board
of agriculture,
etc.

Distribution
and binding of
reports.

Printing and Distribution of Public Documents.
[P. S., Chapter 4, Section 11.]
Sect. 11. The treasurer, auditor, attorney-general, Report of the

' ./ o ' board of agri-

adiutant-general, board of education, and board of culture may

•' ° ' , , be put m type

agriculture, may require any portion of their reports to in advance.
be put in type previous to the first Wednesday in
January annually, when the same can be done consist-
ently with the public advantage.

An Act for the Suppresston of Contagious Diseases

AMONG Domestic Animals.

[Chapter 252, Acts of 1887, Section 19].

Sect. 19. Cattle commissioners now or hereafter

appointed shall keep a full record of their doings, and

report the same to the legislature on or before the

tenth day of January in each year unless sooner

required by the governor ; and an abstract of the same

shall be printed in the annual report of the state board

of agriculture.

Abstract of
report of
cattle commis-
sioners to be
printed in
report of
board of agri-
culture.

12

Relating to Agricultural and

STATUTES RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL AND
HORTICULTURAL SOCIETIES.

PUBLIC STATUTES. — CHAPTER 114.

INDEX.

Section

1. Agricultural societies may be en-
titled to annual sum from the
treasury, by, etc.

2. Societies claiming bounty to file
certificate.

3. Amount of bounty. State board
may withhold same.

4. Societies may make rules for dis-
tribution of bounty.

5. to make annual returns, with pas-
sages, etc., marked.

6. Forfeiture of bounty.

7. Premiums to be offered by societies,
etc.

8. for trees for ship timber.

9. All citizens of county may become
members, and compete for pre-
miums.

10. Surplus to be at interest.

11. To what societies provisions apply.

12. Cattle shows regulated.

13. Penalty.

14. Extent of foregoing provisions.

Section

15. Marshals to be appointed; to have
powers of constables.

16. Rules for ascertaining amount of
premium crops.

17. Premiums for experiments.

ASSOCIATIONS FOR ENCOURAGING
AGRICULTURE, ETC.

18. Ten or more persons may become a
corporation. Powers. and privileges.

farmers' clubs.

19. Farmers' clubs to receive publica-
tions, etc.

GOOD ORDER AT FAIRS, ETC.

20. Societies, etc., may make regula-
tions for preservation of peace at
fairs, etc.

21. Booths, etc., not to be established
within half mile of cattle shows,
without consent. Gaming, etc.,
prohiljited.

22. Penalty.

Agricultural
societies may
be entitled to
annual sum
from the
treasury, by,
etc.

Section 1. Every incorporated agricultural society
which was entitled to bounty from the commonwealth
before the twenty-fifth day of May in the year eighteen
and sixty-six, and every other such society whose ex-
hibition grounds and buildings are not within twelve
miles of those of a society then entitled to bounty, and
which has raised by contribution of individuals and put
out at interest on public or private security, or invested

Horticultural Societies. 13

in real estate, buildings, and appurtenances for its use
and accommodation, one tliousand dollars, as a capital
appropriated for its uses, shall, except when otherwise
determined by the state board of agriculture as pro-
vided in section three, be entitled to receive in the
month of October annually, out of the treasury of the
commonwealth, two hundred dollars, and in that pro-
portion for any greater sum so contributed and put at
interest or invested ; but no society shall receive a
larger amount in one year than it has awarded and paid
in premiums during the year last preceding, nor more
than six hundred dollars.

Sect. 2. Every society which claims bounty shall g,ai|^ijfg
annually, on or before the tenth day of December, file fl°e""ertmcate
in the office of the secretary of the board of agriculture
a certificate signed by its president and treasurer, speci-
fying under oath the sum so contributed and put at
interest or invested, and then held so invested or well
secured as a capital stock.

Sect. 3. The amount of bounty to which a society Amount of

bounty.

is entitled for any year shall be ascertained by the cer- state board

„, , , . T T . may -withhold

tificate last filed by it under the preceding section, same.
But a society shall not receive bounty in any year, if
the state board of agriculture, having first given such
society full opportunity to be heard in relation to its
financial affairs and general management, so determines
by a two-thirds vote of the whole number of its mem-
bers present at its annual meeting, and by its secretary
notifies the treasurer of the commonwealth thereof on
or before the first day of September in such year.

Sect. 4. Every society receiving bounty shall make Societies may

1 • /. 1 T •! • i? make rules,

such rules and regulations for the distribution thereof etc., for dis-
as shall, in its opinion, best pi'omote the improvement bounty.
of agriculture ; subject, however, to the restrictions of
sections six to ten inclusive.

Sect. 5. Every such society shall annually, on or to make
before the tenth day of January, make a full return of turns, with

. .,,. .Til passages, etc.,

its doings, signed by its president and secretary, to the marked,
secretary of the board of agriculture, embracing a
statement of the expenditure of all money, specifying
the nature of the encouragement proposed by the

14

Relating to Agricultural and

Forfeiture of
bounty.

Premiums to
be ofl'ered by
societieB, etc.

for trees for
ship timber.

All citizens of
county may
be members,
etc.

Surplus to be
at interest.

To what
societies pro-
visions apply.

society, the objects for which its premiums have been
offered, and the persons to whom they have been
awarded, and inchiding all reports of committees and
all statements of experiments and cultivation regarded
by the president and secretary as worthy of publica-
tion, and with such general observations concerning the
state of agriculture and manufactures in the common-
wealth as it may deem useful.

The return shall be marked in such manner that the
passages deemed by such officers most worthy of pub-
lic notice, study, and application may be easily distin-
guished.

Sect. 6. A society which neglects in any year to
comply with the laws relating thereto, or with the regu-
lations of the board of agriculture, shall not be entitled
to bounty in the year next succeeding.

Sect. 7. Every society which receives said bounty
shall offer annually by way of premiums, or shall other-
wise apply for the encouragement or improvement of
agriculture or manufactures, a sum not less than the
amount so annually received, and shall offer such pre-
miums for agricultural experiments and in such man-
ner as the state board of agriculture requires.

Sect. 8. Every society shall annually offer such
premiums and encouragement for the raising and pre-
serving of oaks and other forest trees as to it seems
proper and best adapted to perpetuate wnthin the com-
monwealth an adequate supply of ship timber.

Sect. 9. Every such society shall admit as mem-
bers, upon equal terms, citizens of every town in the
county in which it is located, and all premiums offered
shall be subject to the competition of every citizen of
such county.

Sect. 10. All money offered for premiums which
is not awarded or paid shall be put out at interest and
added to the capital stock of the society.

Sect. 11. The foregoing provisions, except the pro-
viso in section three authorizing the state board of
agriculture to withhold bounty, shall not, except by
special enactment, extend to an agricultural society
incorporated for any territory less than a county.

Horticultural Societies. 15

Sect. 12. Every society may by its officers define cattie shows
and fix bounds of sufficient extent for the erection of its ^'^^^
cattle pens and yards, and for convenient passage ways
to and about the same, on the days of its cattle shows
and exhibitions, and also for its ploughing matches
and trials of working oxen ; within which bounds no
persons shall be permitted to enter or pass unless in
conformity with the regulations of the officers of the
society.

Sect. 13. Whoever contrary to such regulations, penalty.
and after notice thereof, enters or passes within the
bounds so fixed, shall forfeit a sum not exceeding five
dollars.

Sect. 14. The foregoing provisions shall not author- Limit of
ize a society to occupy or include within such bounds °"° *'
the land of any person without his consent, nor to
obstruct travel on any public highway.

Sect. 15. The officers of each society may appoint Marshals to

'' ^11 be appointed ;

a sufficient number of suitable inhabitants of the county to have -

. . powers of

to act as marshals at cattle shows and exhibitions, who constables,
shall have the powers of constables in relation to the
preservation of the public peace and the service and
execution of criminal process within the respective
towns where such shows and exhibitions are held, and
such process may be directed to them accordingly ; and
they shall exercise their office from twelve o'clock at
noon of the day preceding the commencement of such
shows and exhibitions until twelve o'clock at noon of
the day succeeding the termination thereof, and no
longer.

Sect. 16. The state board of agriculture may Rules for
prescribe rules and regulations to societies for uniform fhe'a'^^ount^of
modes of ascertaining the product of crops entered for ^ro^s"™
premium.

Sect. 17. Any agricultural society may offer and Premiunos for

1 • • /> experiments.

pay premiums for experiments in the cultivation of
crops or in the raising of domestic animals for farm
purposes, and no regulation of the board of agriculture
to the contrary shall be valid.

16

Relating to Agricultural and

Ten or more
persons may
become a
corporation.

Powers and
privileges.

Associations for Encouraging Agriculture, etc.

Sect. 18. Ten or more persons in any county, city,
or town, who by agreement in writing associate for the
purpose of encouraging agriculture or horticulture, or
for improving and ornamenting the streets and public
squares of any city or town by planting and cultivating
ornamental trees therein, may become a corporation by
such name as they assume therefor upon calling their
first meeting and organizing in the manner provided in
sections twelve and thirteen of chapter forty ; and shall
thereupon during the pleasure of the general court have
for their purposes all the rights, powers, and privileges
given by sections twelve to fifteen, inclusive, of said
chapter, and may hold real and personal estate not
exceeding ten thousand dollars in value.

Farmers'
clubs to re-
ceive publica-
tions, etc.

Farmers' Clubs.
Sect. 19. Farmers' clubs properly organized and
holding regular meetings shall, upon application made
annually in November to the secretary of the state
board of agriculture, receive copies of its report and of
its other publications, in proportion to the number of
their members and to the applications so made. Every
club receiving such copies shall annually in October
make returns to said secretary of its agricultural experi-
ments and of the reports of its committees.

Societies, etc.,
may make
regulations
for preserva-
tion of pence
at fairs, etc.

Booths, etr.,
for sale of
goods, not to
be eBtablished

Good Order at Fairs, etc.

Sect. 20. Any agricultural society or farmers' club
may establish such regulations, not repugnant to law,
as it may deem necessary and expedient for the preser-
vation of peace and good order or for the protection of
its interests at its regular or annual meetings, shows,
fairs, or exhibitions, and shall cause at least five copies
of such regulations to be posted in as many public
•places on its grounds not less than forty-eight hours
before the time of holding each meeting.

Sect. 21. No person during the time of holding a
cattle show, fair, or exhibition, or meeting of a farmers'

Horticultural Societies.

club, without the consent of the proper authorities hav- wuhin^Earr -

' . . \ ^c ™^« of cattle

ing charge of the same, shall establish within one half shows, etc.,
° ° , without con-

mile of the place of holding such show or meeting a sent.

tent, booth/or vehicle of any kind for the purpose of

vending any goods, wares, merchandise, provisions, or

refreshments. No person shall engage in any gaming Gaming,

. , horse-racing,

or horse-racing or exhibit any show or play durmg the etc., prohib-
regular or stated time of holding any cattle show, agri-
cultural fair, or meeting of any farmers' club, or engage
in pool-selling, at or within half a mile of the place of
holding the same : provided, that any person having
his regular place of business within such limits shall
not be hereby required to suspend his business.

Sect. 22. Whoever violates any provision of the Penalty.
preceding section, or a regulation established under
section twenty, shall forfeit for such offence a sum not
exceeding twenty dollars.

Of the Suppression of Common Nuisances.
[P. S., Chapter 101.]

Sect. 10. The mayor and aldermen or selectmen of
any place, upon complaint made to them under oath
that the complainant has reason to believe and does
believe that a booth, shed, or other temporary erection,
situated within one mile of a muster-field, cattle-show
ground, or other place of public gathering, is used and
occupied for the sale of spirituous or fermented liquor,
or for the purpose of gaming, may, if they consider the
complaint well founded, order the owner or occupant
thereof to vacate and close the same forthwith. If the
owner or occupant refuses or neglects so to do, the
mayor and aldermen or selectmen may forthwith abate
siich booth, shed, or erection as a nuisance, and pull
down or otherwise destroy the same in any manner they
choose, or through the agency of any force, civil or
military.

Of Gaming.
[P. S., Chapter 99.]

Sect. 1 1 . AVhoever during or within twelve hours
of the time of holding a cattle-show, military muster,
or public gathering, within one mile of the place

Booths, etc.,
used for
gaming, etc.,
near cattle
shows, etc.,
how removed.

Gaming at
cattle shown,
musters, etc.

18

Agrimdtural and Horticrdtnral Societies.

thereof, practises or engages in any gambling or unlaw-
ful game, shall forfeit for each offence a sum not ex-
ceeding twenty dollars. If he is discovered in the act,
he may be arrested by any sheriff, deputy-sheriff, con-
stable, or other civil officer, and lawfully detained, by
imprisonment in jail or otherwise, not exceeding twenty-
four hours, until a complaint is made against him for
the offence.

Racing, etc.,
declared un-
lawful, except
trials of speed
ut cattle
shows.

Penalty.

Of Offences Against Public Policy.

[P. 8., Chapter 209.]

Sect. 11. All racing, running, trotting, or pacing
of a horse or other animal of the horse kind for a bet
or wager of money or other valuable thing, or for a purse
or stake, made within this state, except trials of the
speed of horses for premiums offered by legally consti-
tuted agricultural societies, is declared to be unlawful ;
and any person engaged in such racing, running, trot-
ting, or pacing, for any such bet or wager, purse or
stake, or aiding or abetting the same, shall be punished
by fine not exceeding one thousand dollars, or imprison-
ment in the jail not exceeding one year, or by both
such fine and imprisonment.

Estate of

agricultural

BOcleties.

Property and Persons Exempted from Taxation.

[P. S., Chapter 11.]

Sect. 5. The following property and polls shall
be exempted from taxation :.....
Ninth, The estate, both real and personal, of incor-
porated agricultural societies.

Regulations of the Board of Agriculture.

19

REGULATIONS OF THE BOARD OF
AGRICULTURE.

1. The Board shall hold an annual business meet-
ing at the office of the secretary in Boston, commencing
on the Tuesday preceding the first Wednesday in Feb-
ruary, and continuing through the following Wednes-
day, on which day the new members may take their
seats. The meeting will be prolonged as business may
require. The business of the Board shall be con-
ducted in accordance with the rules used by deliber-
ative bodies.

No member shall speak more than once until others
who have not spoken shall speak if they desire it, nor
more than twice without first having obtained leave of
the Board.

No member in debate shall occupy more thaii ten
minutes at a time without leave of the Board.

2. At the annual meeting an executive committee
consisting of five members shall be chosen, whose duty
shall be to act for the Board in cases of emergency.

3. The times for holding the fairs of the agricul-
tural societies receiving bounty from the State of
Massachusetts shali be as follows : —

Annual meet-
ing.

Executive
committee.

Times for
faoldinK tlie
fairs of the
several
societies.

Amesbury and Salisbury, ^th Tuesday after the 1st Monday ia
September. J .-i

Barnstable, 4^ Tuesday after the 1st Monday in September.

Bay State.

Berkshire, 2d Tuesday after the 1st Monday in September.

Blackstone Valley, 4th Tuesday after the 1st Monday in Sep-
tember.^'^ ; ,;^ / ', ,i.

Bristol, |th 'lUtetjda;' after the 1st Monday in September.

Deerflekl Valley, 2d Thursday after tlie 1st Monday in Sep-
tember.

Eastern Hampden, .3d Tuesday after the 1st Monday in Sep-
tember. , (,_

Essex, 4tfr Tuesday after the 1st Monday in September.

o

1 ..I^

20 Regulatioii^ of the

/

Franklin, 4th Thursday after the 1st Monday in September.

Hampden, 3d Wrdnmtltt/nPt-^r the 1st Monday in September.

Hampshire, Sd-XtuutKlay^aftcr the 1st Monday in September.

Hampshire, Franlclin and Hampden, 5th Wednesday after the
1st Monday in Septeml)er.

Highland, 1st Wednesday after the 1st Monday in September.

Hillside, 4th Tuesday after the 1st Monday in September.

Hingha.m, 4th Tuesday after tlie 1st Monday in September.

Hoosac Valley, 3d Tuesday after the 1st Monday in Septenibei-.

Housatonic, 4th Wednesday after the ] st Monday in Septeml)er.

Massachusetts.

Massachusetts Horticultural, 3d Tuesday after the 1st Mon-
'Lu. — day in September.

Marshfield, 2d Wednesday after the 1st Monday iu September.
""^^MarJJia/sJ^^meyardj^J^ Tuesday after the 1st Monday in Sep-
tember.

Middlesex, 1th Wodnood.i}^ after the 1st Monday in September.

Middlesex North, 4th Tuesday after the 1st Monday in Sep-
tember. Ci^

Middlesex South, 3d Tuesday after the 1st Monday in Septem-
ber. /

Nantucket, 1st Wednesday after the 1st Monday in Septem-
ber.

Oxford, 3d Tuesday after the 1st Monday in September.

Plymouth, 3d Wednesday after the 1st Monday in September.
// Spenceiv^th Thursday after the 1st Monday in September.

y TTnion, 2d Wednesday after the 1st Monday in September.

Worcester, 3d Thursday after the 1st Monday iu September.

Worcester North, 4th Tuesday after the 1st Monday in Sep-
tember. ■■;^. I'rz

Worcester North-west, "Ss^ Tuesday after the 1st Monday in
September.

Worcester South, 2d Thursday after the 1st Monday in Sep-
tember.
- Worcester West, 4 (h Tlun-sday after tlie 1st Monday in Sep-
tember.

J

fnlf'^wuii'th" ^' -^^y society joiniug with tlie New England Soci-

NewEpgiaiKi g^y'g exhibition will be allowed to chanoe its time to

society 8 '' ~

exhibition. coufovm to that, aud such society will be allowed

to merge its show with it without forfeiture of bounty.

appofntedby •^'- ^^ ^^^ auuual meeting a delegate shall be ap-

to^in;?ke'r'e-"'^ poiutcd to attend the fair of each society represented

ports. (^j^ ^jjg Board and to make report in writing to the

Board at the next annual meeting of the fair, and of

\. the condition and work of such societ3^

w/t^u

Board of Agriculture.

21

6. If such delegate be unable to fill the appoint-
ment, he may exchange with any other delegate, but in
case he cannot make such exchange he shall seasonably
notify the secretary, who shall appoint a substitute.
If no visiting delegate appears at a fair of a society, it
shall be the duty of the member from that society to
make a report to the Board.

7. It shall be the duty of the secretary of this Board
to transmit to the secretary of each society the report
of the visiting delegate.

8. The following is established as the standard by
which crops shall be estimated by weight by the several
societies : Indian corn in the cob as taken from the
field shall be rated as 80 pounds to a bushel ; a bushel
of Indian corn, shelled or dry, shall be 56 pounds ; a
bushel of rye 56 pounds ; a bushel of barley 48 pounds ;
a bushel of buckwheat 48 lbs ; a bushel of oats 32
pounds ; a bushel of wheat 60 pounds ; a bushel of
potatoes 60 pounds ; a bushel of carrots 55 pounds ; a
bushel of onions 52 pounds ; a bushel of sugar beets
60 pounds ; a bushel of mangel wurzel 60 pounds ; a
bushel of ruta baga 60 pounds ; a bushel of parsnips
45 pounds ; a bushel of common or English turnips 50
pounds ; a bushel of white beans 60 pounds ; a bushel
of peas 60 pounds.

9. The various societies are recommended to con-
form to the catalogue of the American Pomological
Society in the nomenclature of fruits at their exhibi-
tions and in their publications.

10. The Board recommend that cattle entered for
exhibition be kept on the grounds through the entire
exhibition, and it is required that in any event they be
kept on exhibition until three o'clock in the afternoon
of the first day.

1 1 . No society receiving the bounty of the State shall
bestow any premiums or gratuities on grade or native bulls .

12. Dr. Charles A. Goessmann has been elected the
chemist to the State Board of Agriculture, and Dr.
Charles H. Fernald as entomologist to the same Board ;
and as such they are introduced to the farmers of the
Commonwealth.

In case a
delegate can-
not attend a
fair.

The secretary
to transmit
reports of
delegates.

Standard by
which crops
shall be esti-
mated by
weight.

Nomenclature
of fruits.

Cattle to be
kept on the
grounds.

Premiums on
grade or
native bulls.

Dr. C. A.

Ooessmann

and Dr. C. H.

Fernald,

chemist and

entomologist

respectively.

22

Regulations of the

ExaDiluiug
committee of
the agricul-
tural college.

Duties of
examining
committee
of the agricul-
tural college.

Secretary,
how elected.

Special meet-
ings of the
board.

Public
meeting.

13. There shall be a standing committee of six
members, called the examining committee of the agri-
cultural college, of whom the first two on the list shall
retire at the end of each year, their places to be filled by
election at the annual meeting. It shall be the duty of
this committee to act for the Board of Agriculture and to
perform the duties prescribed for the Board by the
Governor and Council, as follows : —

1 . To visit the college as often as they may deem
essential for the proper performance of their duties, but
at least once in each year.

2. To inspect the property of the college, including
the land and buildings, especially with reference to the
adaptability and sufficiency thereof for accomplishing
the objects of the institution.

3. To observe the methods, extent and character of
the instruction which it gives.

4. To attend the commencement exercises and
examinations, and, so far as they may deem it expedi-
ent, participate therein.

5. To make report of their doings and observations,
T^ith their views, suggestions and recommendations
concerning the institution and its work annually to the
Legislature.

6. Power is given to perform the foregoing duties
by and through a sub-committee, of not less than five
members of the Board, to be selected annually, and at
such times as the Board may elect.

7. To have and perform such other powers and
duties as may be from time to time defined by the
Governor and Council.

14. The secretary shall be elected at the annual
meeting. The term of service shall be one year,
beginning with the first of July following the election.

15. Special meetings of the Board may be called by
the executive committee, of which one week's written
notice shall be given to each member by the secretary.

16. There shall be an annual three days' public
meeting of the Board for lectures and discussions, at
such place within the Commonwealth as the Board may
designate, beginning on the first Tuesday in December.

Board of Agriculture.

23

17. Each agricultural society receiving the bounty Societies to
of the Commonwealth is hereby requii-ed to arrange farmers'
and hold not less than three farmers' institutes each
calendar year within their limits, and the Board will
render all the assistance in its power to make such
institutes interesting and profitable. The secretary is
expected to attend as many of these institutes as is
compatible with other duties of his office, and he will
provide lecturers for the institutes as far as the appro-
priation for this object will warrant. And the several Dates for

. . 11. institutes to

agricultural societies are earnestly requested at their bedeter-
annual meetings to fix the dates at which they wUl
hold the several institutes required, and the subjects
they desire to have discussed, and at once notify the
secretary of the Board if they desire assistance in the
procuring of lecturers.

18. Societies may arrange and hold more than three
Institutes if they so desire, and the secretary of each
society is required to certify to the holding of each
Institute, as provided for by the blanks furnished from
this office. The secretary of the Board will not be
authorized to pay the expenses of more than one lect-
urer at each Institute.

19. All societies receiving the bounty of the State
are required, immediately after the awards of the sev-
eral committees are made, to cause to be attached to
each animal or article to which first premium has been
awarded, a blue ribbon or card, with " First Premium"
printed thereon ; and to each animal or article to which
second premium has been awarded, a red ribbon or
card, with "Second Premium" printed thereon; and
to each animal or article to which a third premium has
been awarded, a white ribbon or card, with "Third
Premium " priuted thereon, — to the end that a uniform
practice may be followed by all the societies.

20. The Board recommend that the several socie-
ties employ experts to award the premiums on all live
stock, including poultry.

Certification
of Institute
lield.

Expenses of
lecturers.

Method of

designating

premiums.

Employment
of experts.

Revised list
of inemberH.

Names of
offic«rB.

Premiums to
non-resideuts
of the State.

Compliauce
with laws and
regulations.

At the annual meeting of the State Board of Agri-
culture held Feb. 5, 1891, the following votes weve
passed : —

Voted, That the agricultural societies be required to
print a revised list of their members iu their transac-
tions for 1891, unless such list has been printed in their
transactions within three years.

Voted, That the societies be required to print in their
transactions the names of the officers for each year
ensuing their election.

Voted, That amounts paid in premiums to parties
not residents of this State shall not be considered in
predicating the amount of State bounty the societies
shall receive .

Voted, That the secretary be instructed to notify the
societies that they will be required to make their returns
in strict compliance with the provisions of law and the
regulations of the Board.

Mortgage or
sale of real
estate of in-
corjiorated
ngricultural
societies.

An Act Concerning Rkal Estate Owned by Cer-
tain Agricultural Societies.

[Chapter 274, Acts of 1890.]

Section 1. No iucoi'porated agricultural society
which has received or which may receive a bounty from
the treasury of the Commonwealth, under the provisions
of chapter one hundred and fourteen of the Public
Statutes, shall mortgage or sell the whole or any portion
of its real estate until authority for such sale or mort-
gage has been granted by the affirmative vote of two-
thirds of the members of such society, present and
-voting at a meeting duly called for that purpose, and
the vote has been approved by the State Board of Agri-
culture, after due notice to parties interested and a
hearing thereon.

Sect. 2. This act shall take effect upon its passage.

Date Due

BKS '"^

CAT. NO 24 162 PRINTED IN U.S.A. ffe^

e