While just about to leave London for the European continent, Edward Hitchcock received notice from home that he had been appointed a commissioner and charged with exploring the possibility of establishing agricultural schools in Massachusetts. The communication asked him to visit as many agricultural schools as he could to better understand how they operated, what courses they offered, and how the courses were taught. He altered his plans to travel to parts of England, Ireland, and Scotland in order to observe these schools and he took voluminous notes. He returned home to Massachusetts in October of 1850, and by the end of the year had submitted the report. Included here is an excerpt of his report to the chairman of the commissioners.