.o*-2f% •i863 DATE DUE UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS LIBRARY S 73 A2 ***&0 ABSTRACT FROM THE RETURNS OE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES. ABSTRACT. ABSTRACT FROM THE RETURNS OF AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES IN MASSACHUSETTS, FOR THE YEAR 1845, WITH SELECTIONS PROM ADDRESSES t r% n • I s * " AT CATTLE SHOWS AND FAIRS. BY JOHN G. PALFREY, SECRETARY OF THE COMMONWEALTH. 'iSoston: DUTTON AND WENTWORTH, STATE PRINTERS, No. 37, Congress Street. 1846. LIBRARY El* | mnm TABLE OF CONTENTS. Advertisement, Page ix Report of the Proceedings of the Massachusetts Society for Promoting Agriculture, .....•• Returns of the Essex Agricultural Society, Report on Ploughing, double teams, ..... " " " single teams, ..... " " " subsoil ploughing, .... u a "Working Oxen, ...... " " Milch Cows and Heifers, ..... Statements respecting particular cows, . « " the Dairy, ....... Statements of the making and management of Butter, « « Meadow and Swamp Land, .... Statements of the process of reclaiming meadows, and their yield, ....... « « Farms, ....... Statements of the management of farms, « » Fruit Trees, with a statement of the course pursued in mana ging a Nursery, ..... " " Live Fences, with a statement of their cultivation, « it Vegetables, ...... Statement on the early maturing of Indian Corn, " " Experiments on Manures, with a statement of the preparation of a compost manure, .... " « Domestic Manufactures, ..... Returns of the Society of Middlesex Husbandmen and Manufacturers, Account of the Cattle Show and Fair, .... Report on Ploughing, with double teams, .... " " Farms, reclaimed meadows, fruit tress, and compost manure, Statement of the preparation of compost manure, Returns of the Worcester County Agricultural Society, Remarks of the Trustees on Ploughing, .... Report on Ploughing, ...... 6 6 6 7 8 9 10 12 13 16 18 20 22 28 30 31 32 33 36 37 37 40 40 45 46 46 47 V] CONTENTS. Report on Fat Cattle, a « Working Oxen, " " Bulls, under one year old, •' " Milch Cows, " " Butter, .... " " Mechanic Tools and Agricultural Implements, " " Root Crops, .... Statements of the cultivation and product of carrots, Statement of the process and profits of reclaiming swamp meadows, Page 48 48 49 50 51 52 53 55 58 Returns of the Hampshire, Hampden and Fkankxin Agricultural Society, Report on Domestic Manufactures, .... " " Ploughing, ..... " " Stock, . . . " " Horses, ...... Returns of the Hampden County Agricultural Society, . Account of the Cattle Shows and Fair, Report on Milch Cows, ..... " " Fruits and Vegetables, .... " " Mechanical Productions, .... Remarks of the Directors on communicating agricultural processes and results, ...... Statement of the cultivation and products of pine plain land, " " a wheat crop, ...... " " an economical course of keeping stock through the winter, Returns of the Berkshire Agricultural Society, . Report on Agricultural Products, .... Tables of the number of hills of corn and potatoes in different fields, and the yield, per rod, . Statements of cost of reclaiming swamp meadows, Account of Bee-houses, .... Report on Herds Grass Seed, ..... Remarks of the Trustees, on improvement in Ploughs, Report on Ploughing, ..... Returns of the Plymouth Agricultural Society, . Report on Improvements, ..... Statements of the cultivation of Forest Trees, . Report of the Supervisor, ..... Statements of the process and expense of reclaiming swamp lands, ..... " of an experiment in the use of salt as a manure, of the expense of subduing bushes in pasture land " of the preparation of compost manure, " of the cultivation of a wheat crop, . CONTENTS. Vll Statement of experiments to prove the influence of subsoil ploughing on the corn crop, of the cultivation of an oat crop, of the cultivation of Indian corn crops, of the cultivation of a bean crop, of a process of renovating exhausted land Report on Ploughing Returns of the Bristol County Agricultural Society. Report on Fruit and Vegetables, .... " " Manufactures, ..... « « Ploughing, Returns of the Barnstable Agricultural Society, Remarks on the Fair and Address before the Society, Report on Produce, ...... " " Farms, with a statement of the management of a farm, Page 112 114 114 117 119 120 121 121 122 123 124 124 124 125 Abstract of Premiums offered by the several Agricultural Societies in 1845, 126 " of Premiums and Gratuities awarded by the same in 1845, . 128 APPENDIX. Extracts from an Address by the Reverend £. M. Stone, before the Essex Agricultural Society, . . . . . .133 " from an Address by the Honorable Asahel Foote, Jr., before the Berkshire Agricultural Society, .... 143 Address of President Hitchcock, before the Agricultural Societies of Hamp- shire and Hampden Counties, . . . . .151 Description of the Stock recently imported by the Massachusetts Society for promoting Agriculture, by E. Phinney, a Trustee of the Society, ........ 183 ADVERTISEMENT. The Massachusetts Society for promoting Agriculture, the first association of the kind in the Commonwealth or in America, was founded in the year 1792, and incorporated by an Act of the General Court of that year. Obtaining means of operation by an annual assessment upon its members, and by a subscription amounting to four thousand dollars, a liberal sum for that period, it proceeded to invite public attention to its objects, to distribute pre- miums for agricultural improvements, and to import valuable animals with a view to the introduction of better breeds of cattle and other stock. In 1797, it instituted the Agricultural Journal, a publication continued more than thirty years. It took measures for the institution of County Societies, and for the erection of a hall, at Brighton, in Middlesex, for the exhibition of domestic and other manufactures. It contributed to the establishment of the Professor- ship of Natural History, and of the Botanical Garden, in the University of Cambridge. In 1818, began a series of public addresses, pronounced succes- sively at its autumnal celebrations, by John Lowell, Josiah Quincy, Richard Sullivan, Henry Colman, Timothy Pickering, John C. Gray, James Richard- son, Edward Everett, Henry A. S. Dearborn, and perhaps others. The delivery and publication of addresses from such sources exerted an important influence in attracting attention and favor to the objects of the association. The example was followed by other institutions for the same purpose. The Commonwealth extended to them its patronage ; and the policy has been con- tinued, and has grown in favor, to the present time. An Act of 1819 (chapter 114) appropriated two hundred dollars annually, from the Commonwealth's treasury, to every Society which should raise the sum of one thousand dollars for the promotion of agriculture, and in like proportion for any greater sum, not exceeding three thousand dollars. The following Table exhibits a list of the Agricultural Societies now in existence, with the dates of their incorpora- tion respectively, the dates of their first grant of money, and the aggregate amounts received from the Commonwealth. ADVERTISEMENT. Date of Incorpora- tion. Date of 1st Pay- ment. Total amount received. Massachusetts Society for promoting Ag- riculture, s March 7, 1792 Western Soc. of Middlesex Husbandmen, Feb. 28, 1803^ Nairn cl gi lo S ciel} ol Middles* x ; Husbandmen and Manufacturers, - Jan. 24,1820} Berkshire Agricultural Society,* - - Feb. 25,1811 Hamp hire, Franklin and Hampden Ag- ricultural Societies, - - - - Feb. 19, 1818 Worcester Agricultural Society, - - Feb. 23, 1818 Essex Agricultural Society, ... June 12, 1818 Agricultural Society in the County of Plymouth, June 11, 1819 Bristol County Agricultural Society, - | June 14, 1823 Agricultural Society of the County of Hampden, ! March 5, 1844 Barnstable County Agricultural Society, March 15. 1344 Oct. 29, 1817 Jan. 12, 1820 Oct. 29, 1817 Oct. 13, 1819 Jan. 12, 1820 Jan. 12, 1820 Oct. 27, 1820 Nov. 9,1824 Nov. 21, 1844 Feb. 11,1845 §18,300 00 14,340 80 13,736 60 16 200 00 16,200 00 15,140 40 12,884 49 7,346 32 1,200 00 468 00 5115,816 61 The following- Societies have also been incorporated at the dates annexed, but are not known to have gone into operation ; viz; — Farmers' Association, ... February 13, 1821 Hampshire Agricultural Society, - June 11, 1814 Suffolk Agricultural Society, - - April 10, 1839 In 1837, Resolves (chap. 67) were passed of the following tenor; viz. " Resolved, That His Excellency the Governor, by and with the advice of the Council, is hereby authorized and requested to appoint some suitable and competent person, whose duty it shall be, under the direction of His Excel- lency the Governor, to make an Agricultural Survey of the Commonwealth, collect accurate information of the state and condition of its agriculture, and every subject connected with it, point out the means of improvement, and make a detailed report thereof, with as much exactness as circumstances will admit. " Resolved, That a summary of such survey and examination shall be fur- nished to His Excellency the Governor every six months, until the whole shall be completed, and at such other times as shall be required, to be published in such way and manner as he, with the advice of the Council, shall deem to be expedient and useful; and he is authorized to draw his warrants, from time to time, upon the treasurer, for such sums as may be necessary to defray the expenses of said survey, and to enable the person, so appointed, to proceed in * The Cattle Show and Fair of lliis Society, at Pittsfield, in 1S14, was the first held in this country. ADVERTISEMENT. XI the execution of the duties that shall be required of him ; and to pay the same to him, not exceeding the sum of two thousand five hundred dollars per annum." Mr. Henry Colman, the Agricultural Surveyor appointed under this author- ity, published four Reports, which had a wide circulation in the country, and attracted favorable attention abroad. The Resolves were repealed, and the office discontinued, by a Resolve of 1841 (chap. 14). The laws now in force, relating to the subject, are the following ; viz. [Revised Statutes, Chap. 42.] OF AGRICULTURAL CORPORATIONS. Section 1. Every incorporated agricultural society, which shall have raised or may hereafter raise, by contribution of individuals, and put out at interest, on public or private security, the sum of one thousand dollars, as a capital slock appropriated for the uses of such society, shall be entitled to receive, iu the month of October, annually, out of the treas- ury of the Commonwealth, the sum of two hundred dollars, and in that proportion annually for any greater sum so contributed and put at interest, as a capital stock; provided, that no agricultural society shall receive from the treasury more than six hundred dollars in any one year. Sect. 2. Any agricultural society, formed within any county or counties, wherein there is no incorporated society for the same purpose, and which shall raise and put out at inter- est, as a capital stock, not less than one thousand dollars, for the uses of such society, shall receive, on application to the Legislature, an act of incorporation, iu the usual form, and with the customary rights and powers; and, after such incorporation, the society shall have all the privileges, secured to other agricultural societies, on complying with the terms and provisions herein contained : provided, that no agricultural society shall have the benefits of this section, unless the same be formed in a count}', or in an association of counties, includ- ing a population of not less than twenty-five thousand inhabitants. Sect. 3. Every agricultural society, which shall claim the said allowance out of the public treasury, shall, in the month of October, annually, file in the office of the Secretary of State a certificate signed by the president and treasurer of such society, specifying under oath the sum actually contributed, and put at interest, and then held by them well secured as a capital stock ; and a warrant shall be drawn for the sum to which such society may be entitled. Sect. 4. Every agricultural society, which shall receive the said allowance from the public treasury, shall offer annually, by way of premiums, or shall apply otherwise, at their discretion, for the encouragement or improvement of agriculture or manufactures, a sum not less than the amount annually received, as aforesaid, out of the public treasury; and they shall also transmit to the office of the Secretary, in the month of January, annually, a state- ment of their proceedings in relation to the expenditure of such moneys, specifying the nature of the encouragement proposed by the society, and the objects for which their pre- miums have been offered, and to whom they were awarded ; and shall accompany the same with such general observations, concerning the state of agriculture and manufactures, in the State, as they may deem important or useful. Sect. 5. All moneys offered for premiums, which shall not be awarded or paid, shall be put out at interest, and added to the capital stock of each agricultural society. Sect. G. Every agricultural society, which shall receive the said public allowance, shall offer, annually, such premiums and encouragement, for the raising and preserving of oaks, and other forest trees, as to them shall seem proper, and best adapted to perpetuate, within the State, an adequate supply of ship timber. Xii ADVERTISEMENT. Sect. 7. The foregoing provisions shall not extend to any agricultural society, whici has been, or hereafter may be, incorporated for any territory less than a county. Sect. 8. All incorporated agricultural societies may, by their officers, define and fix bounds of sufficient extent, for the erection of their cattle pens and yards, and for conve- nient passage ways to and about the same, on the days of their cattle shows and exhibi- tions, and also for their ploughing matches, and trials of working oxen ; within which bounds, no person shall be permitted to enter or pass, unless in conformity with the regulations of the officers of said societies, respectively. Sect. 9. If any person shall, contrary to the regulations of the said officers, and after notice thereof, enter or pass within the bounds so fixed, he shall forfeit a sum not exceeding five dollars, to be recovered in an action on the case, for the use of the society, by the treasurer thereof. Sect. 10. The foregoing provisions shall not authorize such societies to occupy, or in- clude, within the bounds which they shall fix for the purposes aforesaid, the land of any per- son, without his consent, nor to occupy any turnpike or public highway, in such a manner as to obstruct the public travel. Sect. 11. The officers of every such society may appoint a sufficient number of suitable persons, inhabitants of the county, to act as marshals, at cattle shows and exhibitions, and they shall have and exercise all the powers of constables, in relation to the preservation of the public peace, and the service and execution of criminal process, within the towns, res- pectively, where such shows and exhibitions may be held ; and any such criminal process may be directed to them accordingly ; and they shall exercise their said 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. [Act of Feb. 25, 1842, Chap. 31.] AN ACT RELATING TO RETURNS FROM AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES. Sect. 1. No agricultural society which, on the first day of April, in the year one thou- sand eight hundred and forty-two, shall have neglected to make returns to the Secretary of the Commonwealth, as required by the first and fourth sections of the forty-second chapter of the Revised Statutes, shall be entitled to receive the allowance from the Commonwealth, as therein provided. Sect. 2. No agricultural society, which shall not have made returns to the office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth within the month of January, in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty-three, and within the month of January in each succeeding year thereafter, as required by the sections of the Revised Statutes mentioned in the preceding section, shall be entitled to receive any aid from the Commonwealth. [Act of March 7, 1845, Chap. 111.] AN ACT REQUIRING ADDITIONAL RETURNS FROM AGRICULTURAL SOCIE- TIES. Sect. 1.* Every agricultural society entitled to receive money from the Treasury ol the Commonwealth, shall, in addition to the return of premiums paid, now required to be made in the month of January, make full returns of their doings into the cilice of the Secretary of * It has been made a question whether this section provides for an additional return, into the Sec- retary's office, to that required in the fourth section of chapter 42 of the Revised Statutes, or whether the incorporation, into the old form of return, of the information >\ ecified in tin- 1 tw, is a si flxiei t compliance with the law. The former appears to be the correct interpretation of the recert statute. The return under the old law must be made in the month of January, and may be made on any day of that month. The return under the new law may be made at any time before January, but cannot be made later than the first day of that month. ADVERTISEMENT. Xiil State, on or before the first day of January, in every year, embracing all reports of com- mittees, and all statements of experiments and cultivation, deemed, by the officers of the several societies, worthy of publication. Sect. 2. The secretary of each society, whether his return be in printed or manuscript form, shall mark, in a manner to be easily distinguished, those passages in the several re- ports and statements which he regards as most worthy of public notice, study and applica- tion. Sect. 3. The Secretary of State is directed to transmit a copy of this act to the secre- tary of every incorporated agricultural society in the Commonwealth, on or before the first day of September, 1845. Sect. 4. The Secretary of State is hereby directed to cause as full an abstract from said returns to be made and published in each year, for distribution, as in his judgment will prove useful. Sect. 5. Any agricultural society which shall neglect, in any year, to comply with the provisions of this act, shall forfeit its claim to bounty from the Commonwealth the succeed- ing year. Sect. 6. Any parts of passed acts inconsistent with the provisions of this, are hereby repealed. The present publication is the first which has taken place under the authority of the Act of 1845. The Societies have all complied with its provisions so far as to furnish a summary of their proceedings for the year; but more than half of them have neglected that, part of the law which requires them to mark those passages deemed by their secretaries worthy of public notice, study and application. All the returns were made within the legal time, with the excep- tion of that of the society in Bristol. Of these returns, the most complete is that of the Essex Agricultural Society, which, from its long experience in publishing annually a volume of its transactions, has attained to a high rank in the fulness of its reports and the exactness of its statements. The Worcester and the Plymouth Societies' returns are also highly satisfactory. The Hampden Society, considering its youth, (it having been established but two years), has made a very credilable return of its doings. The officers of all the societies have appeared desirous of furthering the design of the Legislature in enacting the law of last year, by making as full a return as the character of their proceedings admits. The object of the law obviously is, to bring together the practical knowl- edge of our best farmers, horticulturists and manufacturers, in their respective branches of labor. In order to secure a valuable volume of this description, the Legislature of New York, in a law similar to our own on this subject, requires of all agricultural societies receiving the bounty of the State, that "before any premium shall be delivered, the person claiming the same, or to whom the same may be awarded, shall deliver in writing, to their respective officers, as accurate a description of the process in preparing the soils, including the quantity and quality of the manure applied, and in raising the crop or feed- ing the animal, as may be ; and also of the expense and product of the crop, or of the increase in value of the animals, with the view of showing accurately the profit of cultivating the crop or feeding or fattening the animal."' Our XIV ADVERTISEMENT. statute establishing agricultural societies, and granting to them pecuniary aid, makes no provision for the collecting of information on these points. Perhaps it was thought that the trustees of these societies would secure the accom- plishment of the object, so far as it might be deemed desirable, by regulations of their own. And we find, in fact, that several of the societies, at least, do require accurate statements of this description from claimants of their pre- miums. But the misfortune is, that these rules are imperfectly or not all com- plied with. The returns made to this office, with some exceptions, are deficient in accurate details of the modes of cultivation, of keeping stock, of expenses, and of other important incidents. These details would acquaint farmers and others with the precise manner in which the valuable results re- corded can be again obtained, and would furnish the means by which a greater and more general progress would be made in practical agriculture. The course adopted by our societies is, in the first place, to publish a list of premiums for excellence in certain agricultural and mechanical productions. Committees are then appointed to decide upon the claims of competitors. Their awards are made and sanctioned by the societies, and the names of the successful claimants of premiums are published in the newspapers. In some cases, the written statements, required by the societies from the claimants, ac- company the reports of the committees ; but more frequently there are none made, and the reports are meagre from the deficiency of materials from which to prepare them. It seems important, as well for the interests of the societies as for the full accomplishment of the good results contemplated by the Act of 1845, that all our agricultural societies should not only establish rules requiring these statements, but should enjoin and require a rigid adherence to the rules, as a necessary condition of awarding their premiums. By pursuing this course from year to year, our farmers would soon acquire habits of accurate observa- tion and exact recording of processes and results. From the documents thus produced, the whole agricultural community would learn what is most valuable in farming and most worthy of imitation ; and would learn, too, how to imi- tate it. Farmers would thus be the teachers and the taught. Throughout the Commonwealth, they would form a class for mutual improvement. They would not and could not complain of such instructors as mere book-farmers, but would strive themselves so to excel, that their own course of husbandry should be submitted in print to the imitation of others. Another source of valuable information for the pages of the annual volume, is supplied by the public addresses usually delivered on the days of holding the exhibitions of the societies. These addresses are generally prepared with care by competent individuals ; and, besides aiding the cause of agriculture by im- pressing on the farmers, assembled from different parts of the same county, the importance and dignity of their calling, usually convey a large amount of sound and judicious hints as to the practical details of the pursuit. These addresses are frequently given to the public through the press, — a practice ADVERTISEMENT. XV which doubtless exerts a wholesome influence in causing them to be prepared not merely for rhetorical effect, but for profitable perusal in print. It is probable that in Massachusetts we have as enlightened and skilful cul- tivators of the soil, as in any other section of the Union. It is gratifying on such a point to meet with such a testimony from a highly intelligent source, as that recently borne by Benjamin P. Johnson, Corresponding Secretary of the New York State Agricultural Society. "Look at Massachusetts, that noble Commonwealth. Look at her agricultural associations, sustained and patronized by the Government, and witness the results of their efforts. The Empire State is indebted to Massachusetts for almost every superior imple- ment of husbandry ; and her agricultural products, upon a soil far less fertile and favorable for cultivation than ours, are such as to require the most im- proved and efficient system of husbandry to equal her."* Nor can it be ques- tioned, that to the efforts of our agricultural societies is to be attributed, in a great measure, the general advancement in practical agriculture among us. They have encouraged by premiums, and stimulated by honorable competition. They have excited greater interest in the objects of agricultural labor, diffused information respecting it among the people, and elevated the standard of good husbandry. By the legislative act of last year, an additional impulse is provided to im- provement in agricultural science and practice. It remains for the several societies to make it availing for its object. To the wise and efficient exertion of the managers of these institutions must the State look for the cooperation of their members and of the receivers of their premiums, in furnishing such information connected with agriculture as will reflect credit on the institutions themselves, and on the Commonwealth. The volume prepared for the present year is, of necessity, imperfect in the amount and value of its contents. It contains, however, many facts, that, in the words of the Act, " are worthy of public notice, study and application." A French statesman lately said, " France is a soldier." Whether, on occa- sion, Massachusetts has been able to assert that character, her history for two centuries may show. The Statistics, just published, of the produce of the mechanical skill of the Commonwealth, may be thought to justify the far more satisfactory eulogium, Massachusetts is a manufacturer and a merchant. In the Reports of her Board of Education, as well as in the fruits of the studies of her citizens, is some evidence that Massachusetts pretends to be a scholar. Such publications as the present may lead the reader beyond her borders to suspect that, in the face of some natural discouragements, Massachusetts has energy enough to be a farmer. And he needs only a better acquaintance with her condition, to learn that the farm-houses, that, speck her shallow and rugged soil, breed men to make her honor and prosperity in all the walks of life. In the preparation of the volume, as a first experiment in this Common- wealth, it was thought judicious to study brevity ; and a leading principle in * Transactions of the New York Agricultural Societies for 1843, p. 397. XVI ADVERTISEMENT. making selections was to present whatever was peculiar to any society, so as to afford a variety of information to the reader, and extend the knowledge of local experiments. On the other hand, in some particulars, it is meagre from want of materials. It might have been advantageously enlarged, if all the returns had been equally rich in their specimens of reports of committees, and of statements of successful competitors for premiums. In the preparation of the Abstract, I have availed myself of the well known judgment and talent of the Honorable Allen W. Dodge, an experienced farmer of Hamilton, in the county of Essex. Using the latitude of discretion, which the law appeared to intend to give to the Secretary, I have, in an Appendix, enriched the volume with specimens of the addresses delivered before three of the Agricultural Societies during the past year. Those of Mr. Stone and Mr. Foote had been previously published, and were already in the hands of many readers. That of Dr. Hitchcock, now appearing for the first time, is printed entire. After these selections had been arranged for the press, and nearly the whole volume was in type, the manu- script of another valuable address was kindly furnished, which it would have been highly gratifying to use in enlarging the collection. But the volume had already swelled to an unexpected size, and any extension would have hazarded the delay of its publication beyond the period of the session of the Legislature. In the return of the Massachusetts Society the statement of its recent valu- able importation of foreign stock is not accompanied by any description of the animals. Believing that the subject would attract the particular attention of farmers, I have placed in the Appendix a full description, which appeared in the columns of the " New England Farmer," after the bulk of the volume had been printed. J. G. P. Secretary's Office; March 17th, 1846. ABSTRACT FROM THE RETURNS OF AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES. ABSTRACT. MASS. SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING AGRICULTURE. The return of the doings of this Society consists only of the fol- lowing statement, which is published entire. The undersigned, as Recording Secretary of the Massachu- setts Society for promoting Agriculture, in compliance with the requisitions transmitted to him by the Secretary of the Com- monwealth, respectfully reports ; That, at the monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Society, held in January last, the Committee on Premiums made a report, offering premiums as heretofore on various modes of culture, on stock, on inventions, on farms, and a premium for the best essay on diseases of animals, which report was ac- cepted. The offer of a premium for the best essay on the dis- eases of animals was subsequently modified. The subject being discussed, it appeared that this department of medical science had been little regarded in this Common- wealth ; that if an animal became sick, or was wounded, regular practitioners were not usually summoned, and the farmer had to depend upon any one in his neighborhood who had ac- quired a reputation, by some little experience, for skill in cases of diseased animals. It was therefore voted, that Dr. Warren, one of the board of trustees, be authorized to offer pecuniary aid to any student of medicine (whom he thought qualified for the pur- pose) to assist him in completing his education abroad, upon the 4 MASSACHUSETTS SOCIETY. condition that he should give a portion of his time and particu- lar attention to the Veterinary establishments, for the relief and recovery of wounded or diseased animals, in Europe, and espe- cially in France; that he should attend the lectures of the most eminent surgeons on these subjects, to qualify himself to deliver lectures, as well as to practise in this department of science, on his return. The vote accepting the report of the committee on premiums having been re-considered, a full discussion ensued, and the board came to the conclusion, that the distribution of their funds in premiums as heretofore offered and awarded, (viz., on stock, imported or native, on various modes and objects of agriculture, on the greatest quantity of produce on an acre, on the produce of the dairy, on implements and inventions, on orchards, hedges and forest trees, on the culture of the mulberry and the man- ufacture of silk, on the culture of the beet and the manufacture from it of sugar, for the best essays on given subjects, for the mode of destroying, if any there were, the insects destructive to vegetables and to trees and to bees, for the best managed farms, and various other objects of great importance to farmers,) had for the time produced the desired effect. It had stimulated the working men of the Commonwealth to effort and investigation, and had done great service by inducing careful experiments and accurate noting of the time, manner and circumstances in which the experiments had been made, thereby giving exact and abso- lute knowledge whether the experiment proved successful or not. The board were therefore of the opinion that an intermission of their usual offers, for a time, would be beneficial, and they hoped to excite a new interest in rearing stock, by an importa- tion of the best breeds of milking animals, as well as combining strength and aptitude to fat, that could be obtained, and holding them until they had so multiplied that their stock might spread over the State, at a small expense, compared with the expense of importation, and, therefore, in May last, they \roted to appro- priate their funds to the importation of stock. It was assumed, as a fact well established, that care, skill and judgment in raising animals remarkable for their size, strength, docility, and, if cows, for the quantity or quality of milk, would MASSACHUSETTS SOCIETY. 5 insure in certain breeds, an excellence in either quality at least equal to the parent stock ; and, if one of superior excellence should appear, that this superiority might be preserved in the descendants. This theory had been long tested in Europe, where bulls remarkable for the character of their stock become exceedingly valuable, whereas it was rare in this Common- wealth for farmers to keep bulls long enough to know the cha- racter of their stock as milkers. With the hope, therefore, of encouraging more attention to the breeding of stock, and to in- troduce the breeds now most highly prized in Great Britain, the board of trustees voted that an agent be selected and supplied with funds, to go to Europe and purchase animals of the highest character for purity of blood in the breeds of Ayrshire, in Scot- land, and of North Devon in England, and if he should meet with any other breed of high esteem as an improved breed, to select and bring home a pair, in order to test their qualities in this country. That, so authorized, an agent did proceed to Europe, and in October last returned, and brought with him, in health and fine condition, four cows and a young bull of the Ayrshire breed, and four cows and a young bull of the North Devon breed, at a cost of $ 2,5S2 02 ; that their agent was fortunate in procuring, at fair prices, animals of the highest character for productiveness, and the trustees have the fullest confidence that in this impor- tation they shall most effectually promote the substantial inter- ests of the farmers of Massachusetts. The undersigned further respectfully reports, that the said stock are for the present at the farm of Mr. Phinney, one of the board of trustees, and that it would be a great pleasure to him and to the board, to have the animals, their pedigree, and the report of the agent who selected them, examined by any gentle- man interested in the improvement of stock. All which is respectfully submitted by BENJ. GUILD, Rec. Sec,y of the Mass. Society for Promoting Agriculture. December 13, 1845. ESSEX SOCIETY. ESSEX AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. From the Reports of the Committees of this Society, and the statements accompanying the same, the following extracts are made. Ploughing with Double Teams. There were thirteen competitors [at the Cattle Show and Fair, September 24th,] to whom lots of one quarter of an acre each were assigned by lot, to be ploughed not less than seven inches deep. The time, in which the work was done, varied from thirty -five to forty-four minutes. Notwithstanding these trials have been so often repeated, they are still received with increasing interest, and every succeeding year brings to notice some valuable improvements. The committee are strongly impressed with the superior value of those ploughs which lay the furrow-slice flat and even, especially in the culti- vation of grass. Care should be taken by the ploughman that he does not cut a wider furrow than the plough was intended to cut, and then it will be entirely smooth in appearance, and we know of none superior for this purpose to those manu- factured by Ruggles, Nourse & Mason. For the committee, W. SUTTON. Ploughing with Single Teams. From these experiments, we learn that an acre of land may be ploughed by a single pair of cattle and one man in four hours, and probably nearly two acres in a single day. When we take into view the expense of operating a team of this de- scription, compared with those usually employed in this busi- ness, it will be quite well for our farmers to consider whether most of their work cannot be done with one pair of cattle, and if two pair are to be used, would it not be better to cut the first ESSEX SOCIETY. 7 furrow of less depth, and apply the power of the second pair to a subsoil plough, to follow directly after 1 If we do not en- tirely mistake the signs of the times, our modes of preparing land for culture will ere long be essentially modified by the use of the subsoil plough. In the County of Worcester, where the management of land and teams is understood as well as in any part of the Commonwealth, the premiums are limited to one pair of cattle without a driver. For the committee, J. W. PROCTOR. Subsoil Ploughing. The only entry of subsoil ploughs was made by Mr. Ben- jamin Poore, of West Newbury, to whom the Society has been often indebted for contributions to its shows. He presented to the notice of the committee two subsoil ploughs, of Ruggles, Nourse & Mason's manufacture, number one and medium size ; one of Howard's and one of Prouty's new pattern. These were successfully tried with two yoke of oxen attached, and their working examined by your committee. They all did the work of stirring the soil well, and the committee will not attempt to decide on the relative merits of the respective ploughs on a trial necessarily very limited. They were inclined to think the double wing, attached to Howard's plough, an improvement, as giving a steady motion to the plough, without much increasing the draft. The farming interest is greatly indebted to these en- terprising plough manufacturers, for offering them very good subsoil ploughs at a moderate cost, in so short a time since the implement was first known in this country. Farmers every where, who have tried subsoil ploughing, concur in representing it as beneficial in draining wet lands, and in counteracting the effects of drought on dry soils ; and your committee believe its advantages will be made apparent to all who will make a trial of it. For the committee, J. H. DUNCAN. ESSEX SOCIETY. Working Oxen. Twenty entries were made. — The committee consider that there are more difficulties in the way of deciding correctly upon the merits of working oxen, than in any other department of the exhibition. The committee on ploughing can examine the work done over and again. On the dairy, they can bring specimens in immediate contact. The important points in animals can be placed side by side. So with domestic manufactures, with fruits and flowers. Not so with working oxen. Each pair goes its round, and when twenty teams have followed in succession, the decision must be made from the recollection of impressions made on the committee's minds at the time of drawing. If dif- ferences of impressions exist as to certain trials, recollection, and not actual inspection, must decide the issue. The ages to be brought under the notice of the committee range from four to seven years ; and in making up their award, they are required to take into view the size, power and training of the teams. The power and training, with a load of any given weight, are matters which must be left to judgment and fancy. But size can be brought to a surer standard. And the committee would here recommend that in future all cattle entered as work- ing oxen should be weighed on the day of trial. As to age, cattle frequently pass from one to another, as being younger than they really are, and as many of the working oxen in this county came by purchase to their present owners, their true age may not be well defined. And thus cattle may be en- tered as seven years old, without any certainty that they are not more. In order that the rule should effectually bar all entries of cat- tle over seven years old, some evidence should be required more than simply, they are called no more. The committee award to Jonathan Berry, Jr. of Middleton, the first premium of $10, for his speckled face cattle, five years old. They were large of the age, well formed, not full in flesh, well matched as to strength and temper, and well trained for cattle of that age. ESSEX SOCIETY. 9 They award to S. B. Swan of Danvers, the second premium of $7 for his red oxen, six years old. They worked well. The near ox was by the committee considered the best working ox exhibited. They award to Josiah Low of Essex, the third premium of five dollars for his red ox, reported seven years old. They were probably the largest and strongest pair of cattle among the whole entered ; still the committee did not think they worked as even and true as some others. We can say, in making up the above award, we endeavored to refresh our recollections, as to the defects and good qualities of every pair of cattle brought under our notice, and the fore- going is the result of our observations at the time of drawing, and not from any knowledge how the several pairs of cattle might work when not surrounded by a crowd of spectators. In behalf of the Committee, MOSES NEWELL. Milch Cows and Heifers. The committee recommend that the first premium, of ten dollars and Colman's Agricultural Report, be awarded to Henry Creesy of Salem, for the best cow, six years old. Second premium, of six dollars, to Warren Averill of Ipswich, for the second best cow, seven years old. Third premium, of four dollars, to William Williams, of Rowley, for the third best cow, seven years old. Only five cows were entered for premium. Although all that were entered were of the native breed, they were excellent cows ; and, taking into view the small expense of their keeping, must have produced a large net profit. Statements of the manner of keeping, and quantities of milk and butter each produced, accompany this report. For the Committee, T. CUTLER. 2 10 ESSEX SOCIETY. Henry Creesy's Statement. The cow which I offer for exhibition and premium, is six years old. She calved the 21st of May, and has given milk as follows : From May 21st to June 21st, . . 1,469 lbs. 4 oz. " June 21st to July 21st, . . 1,264 lbs. " July 21st to August 21st, . . 1,127 lbs. 8 oz. " August 21st to September 21st. . 956 lbs. 8 oz. Total, 4817 lbs. 4 oz. We sell most of the milk, but in order to ascertain the quality of her milk, we have made butter from it, and find that it takes nineteen pounds of milk to one pound of butter. Her keeping- has been good grass feed, with the exception of seven weeks, when she had two quarts of shorts per day. The said cow was raised by John Bartlett of Marblehead, and has been owned by me two years and six months. Salem, September 24th, 1845. Warren AverilVs Statement. I offer for your inspection my cow Flora, of native breed, six years old. The said cow calved on the 21st of last April. The calf was kept to her until the 13th day of May. With what milk the calf left, and all after taking the calf from her until the 20th of May, we made 20 lbs. 8 oz. of butter. Beginning at the 20th of May, we kept an account of the milk by weight, morning and night, for the four months following, which is 4,375 lbs. Butter from said milk, 211 lbs. 2 oz. From the 20th of May to the last day of June, inclusive, 84 lbs. 2 oz. In July, 52 lbs. In August, 43 lbs. Twenty days in September, 32 lbs. 2 oz. Said cow would have risen 35 lbs. in September, had she not met with an accident by getting one of her teats jammed on the 14th, in consequence of which we did not use the milk from that quarter of the bag for butter. The first fourteen days in September, she made 24 lbs. From the 20th of May to the last day of June, she gave 1,597 lbs. of milk; in July, 1,115 lbs.; ESSEX SOCIETY. 11 August, 987 lbs. ; twenty days in September, 676 lbs. Average through the four months per day, 35 lbs. 105-122. To July, 39 lbs. 37-40 ; July, 36 lbs. ; August, 32 lbs. ; September, 33 lbs. 16-20. Average on the butter to July, 19 lbs. In July, 21 lbs. 23-52 ; August, 22 lbs. 41-43 ; September, 21 lbs. 4-32. Through the season, four months, 20 lbs. 155-211. Manner of keeping said cow. After she calved, I commenced giving her two quarts of meal per day, until the last day of May. The 20th day of May, I put her to pasture by herself. Her pasture was good through June : the first week in July it failed, so I took her out, and put her in an old pasture with other cows for three weeks, to let my pasture grow. I then put her back again in my pasture, and kept her until the 24th day of August, when I put her with another cow in new feed. I com- menced giving her the 30th of August one quart of Indian meal and one quart of rye meal every night. She had no meal, roots or any thing, only what the pasture afforded, from the 1st day of June until the 30th day of August. Ipswich, September 23. 1845. William Williams's Statement. The cow offered for a premium is seven years old, and of na- tive breed. She calved Feb. 6, 1845. The calf sucked till he was six weeks and three days old, and was then sold to a butcher for ten dollars. During these six weeks. I sold fifty-two quarts of milk from her, and made seven pounds and a half of butter. The calf had nothing but what he got from the cow. She gave, from the time the calf was taken from her till the first of August, from fourteen to fifteen quarts per day, which was a few days over four months. She gives now eight quarts per day. She had nothing but salt hay till she calved, then she had for two months one foddering of English hay at noon, and half of a bushel of carrots per day. After the two months, she did not have the carrots, but had one foddering of English hay at noon, and salt hay night and morning, till pasture time. She has had nothing but what she has got in the pasture since, and that is very short as it has been so dry. The first two weeks after she calved, she gave ten quarts of milk per day more than the calf could suck. 12 ESSEX SOCIETY. P. S. She made nine pounds of butter per week till pasture time, then the milk was put with that of the rest of my cows. Rowley, Sept. 23, 1845. On the Dairy. The committee report that at no former show has so much and so good butter been exhibited. Mr. Lane's September but- ter was in tin boxes, so constructed as to contain pound lumps in each of the apartments, with a reservoir in the centre for ice, which keeps the butter cool and hard in its passage to market in the hottest weather. This appears to be an improvement. The committee consider the quantity made, as well as the quality. For this they must depend upon the statements of the competitors, some of which are exceedingly vague and indefi- nite. For example, "27 lbs. butter made by the daughter of Mr. , of , from nine cows in five days, in common pasture feed." The butter which accompanied this very brief statement was of excellent quality. Some of the samples, which certainly deserved better treatment, had no statement of any kind. Nineteen samples of September butter, and seven of June, were exhibited. It is recommended that the statements of the successful competitors be published, and that the premi- ums be awarded as follows : — For June butter, to George W. Dodge, YVenham, 1st premium, $10, and Colman's European Agriculture. to Benjamin T. Lane, Danvers, 2d premium, $8. to Allen W. Dodge, Hamilton, 3d premium, $6. For Sept. butter, to Warren Averill, Ipswich, 1st premium, $10. and Colman's European Agriculture. to George W. Dodge, Wenham, 2d premium, $8. to Daniel Putnam, Danvers, 3d premium, $6. For the Committee, DANIEL P. KING. ESSEX SOCIETY. 13 George W. Dodge's Statement. I present for your inspection, one box of June butter, contain- ing 25 lbs., being a specimen of 132 lbs. made between the 1st nf June and 9th of July, from 5 cows ; also, 2 boxes of Septem- ber butter, containing 27 lbs., being a specimen of 405 lbs. made between the 20th of May and 20th of September, from the same cows. Their feed has been common pasture until August ; since then, the pasture being very poor and dry, we have fed them night and morning with green corn fodder, which was raised for the purpose. Process of Making. The milk is strained into tin pans, where it stands from 36 to 48 hours. It is then skimmed, and the cream put into tin pails, standing on the bottom of the cellar ; a little salt is put into the pails before putting in the cream, which, at the times of addition, is stirred. We churn twice a week. The butter-milk is thoroughly worked out by hand, no water being used for that purpose. In warm weather, the cream is lowered into the well the night before churning. Immediately after the butter-milk is worked out, the butter is salted with an ounce of ground rock salt to the pound, and in about 24 hours it is again worked over. N. B. The June butter is packed down in layers of five pounds each, and salt sprinkled between ; the top is covered with salt, and the pot is set on the bottom of the cellar. Wciiham. Sept. 24, 1845. Benjamin T. Lane's Statement. 1 oiler for your judgment one pot of June butter, containing 25 lbs., and two boxes of September butter, containing 34 lbs., being a specimen of 475 lbs., made between the 20th of May and the 20th of September, from the milk of eight cows, one of them commencing the middle of July. We have sold, in addi- tion to this, 291 gallons of milk, and 12 quarts of cream, besides using milk for a family of seven persons. The cows came from the barn in the spring, in good condition, since which time they have run in a common pasture, and since the first of August 14 ESSEX SOCIETY. have been served with a foddering of corn at night, planted for that purpose. In the process of making, the milk is strained into tin pans, and placed in a cool stone dairy cellar; and, after standing from 36 to 48 hours, it is skimmed, and the cream put into stone pots, where it remains, standing on the brick floor of the cellar, till it is ready for churning. We churn twice a week. When the butter is formed, the butter-milk is drawn off, and the butter washed twice with cold water. We use rock salt, and, in preparing it for use, we mix thoroughly together one quarter of a pound of loaf sugar and three quarters of a pound of salt. One ounce of this mixture is used for a pound of butter. After 24 hours, the butter is again well worked, and weighed in pound lumps. The tin boxes, in which our butter is marketed, have reservoirs in the middle to contain ice, by means of which the butter reaches the customers perfectly cool and hard in the hot- test weather. Danvers, Sept. 23, 1845. Allen W. Dodge's Statement. I offer for your inspection a pot of June butter, of 25 lbs. I also offer as a specimen of September butter two boxes, contain- ing 30 lbs. churned on the 20th inst. Up to that time, we have made the present season 1,180 lbs. The following statement I send in compliance with the rules of the Society. 1. The number of cows kept is thirteen, all of native breed. 2. Their feed in winter was hay of good quality, so that they came from the barn in the spring in good condition. Their pas- ture has been very short, owing to the excessive drought. Since the middle of July, they have been fed at night with green corn fodder. 3. Treatment of Milk and Cream before Churning. The milk is strained into tin pans and placed in a cool cellar for the cream to rise, which will be according to the weather. The day previous to churning, the cream is, in hot weather, lowered into the well, in tin pails or cans, in order to become cool. The but- ter thus comes of a hard consistency, and no difficulty is expe- rienced in making it free of butter-milk. ESSEX SOCIETY. 15 4. Mode of churning. Soak the churn with cold water over night. We have used the present season Kendall's Cylinder Churn, which we think a decided improvement. It has many- advantages over any we have heretofore used. Churn once a week, two days before the butter is taken to market. 5. The method of freeing the butter from milk, is by working it thoroughly with the hands. It is never rinsed in water. The day after being worked over, it is put into lumps of one pound each, for market. 6. Salting of the butter. Use the ground rock salt, and salt to suit the taste, generally about three quarters of an ounce to the pound. The sample of June butter had added to it a small quantity of loaf sugar and saltpetre, to aid in preserving it. Besides making the above quantity of butter, we have used milk for eight in the family. Hamilton, Sept. 22, 1845. Warren AverilVs Statement. I offer for your inspection one pot and box of September but- ter, containing 32 lbs., being a specimen of 211 lbs. 2 oz. made from one cow since the 20th day of May until the 20th day of September, inclusive. Process of Making. The milk is strained into tin pans, and stands from 24 to 36 hours in a cellar, Avhen the cream is taken off and put into a tin pail. We churn the first part of the season once in four days ; the latter part, once a week. The cream is brought from the cellar in the morning, and strained through a cloth into the churn. After it is churned, (which has taken on an average, seven minutes,) the butter is taken out of the churn, put into an earthen pan, and water put with it. This is re- peated until the butter-milk is thoroughly rinsed from the but- ter, so that there is scarcely any color in the water. The butter is then worked over. Then it is put into an earthen pan, and salted with one ounce of salt to a pound of butter. It is then worked over again thoroughly, piece by piece, then made into balls and put into the cellar, fit for market. I keep two cows, Flora and Kendall. Flora I keep for but- 16 ESSEX SOCIETY. ter ; Kendall I keep for milk to sell, and use in the family. Flora has made 211 lbs. 2 ounces of butter since the 20th day of May to the 20th day of September, inclusive. Ipswich, Sept. 23, 1845. Note. The maimer of keeping the above cow and her yield of milk, are given in a preceding statement. Daniel Putnam11 s Statement. 1 offer for your inspection two boxes of September butter, containing twenty-six pounds, being a sample of six hundred and fifteen pounds, made between the 20th of May and the 20th of September, from the milk of eight cows, some of which have been nearly dry a part of the season, having calved last autumn. The milk of more than one cow has been sold and used in the family, so that it would not be more than the average milk of six cows. Their feed has been a poor pasture, one quart of meal per day, with some mown grass or corn stalks. Process of making the butter. The milk is kept in tin pans. After standing from 36 to 48 hours, the cream is taken off and put into tin pails. We churn twice a week. When the butter- milk is drawn from it, we thoroughly rinse it in cold water ; it is then taken from the churn, worked in part, salted, an ounce of salt and one fourth of an ounce of loaf sugar to the pound. In about 24 hours, it is worked the second time. North Danvers, Sept. 24, 1845. On Meadow and Swamp Land. The committee have received but one application for premi- um. That entry was made by David Gray, of Andover, whose statement is handed in with this report. Upon examination of the meadow referred to, they found his statement well sustained by the appearance of the land and the crop standing upon it. They hope that his success will encourage many others to commence similar improvements, though they may be restricted at first to small fields. There is, probably, no way, in which those who have meadow land, can so easily increase the produce of their ESSEX SOCIETY. 17 farms, as by draining and cultivating their meadows. Your committee recommend that a premium be given him of fifteen dollars, and Column's European Agriculture. Your committee would observe, that it is their deep im- pression, that one of the best efforts that the Essex County Ag- ricultural Society could make, would be to secure a scientific and practical survey of the meadows of the county. In this way, great and important principles might be developed, much useless labor saved, many disappointments avoided, successful enterprises accomplished with less expense, and the whole labor bestowed on this part of farming, be followed by much more encouraging reward. To give a single illustration : Some meadows in this county are flooded with water which comes in the form of springs from the high lands in the vicinity, and can be easily drained by cutting ditches in the borders. Others receive their water from springs rising up underneath, and require therefore a different process. Many are simple basins, having a hard and impervious bot- tom. They hold the water which is rained upon them, and the little that runs in upon the surface of land around, as water runs into tubs from the roofs of buildings. Some swamps no doubt are watered by a combination of all these sources. Now, how obvious it is, that in draining these swamps a re- gard must be had to these circumstances ! And how few, com- paratively, are as fully informed, and at present have it in their power to be as fully informed, as would be good and profitable for them to be ! How could the society do better than to investigate the subject, and inform the county ? A few hundred dollars laid out in such a survey, would be followed by manifold more advantages than all the premiums that are likely to be given on reclaimed lands for many years. For the Committee. G. B. PERRY. 18 ESSEX SOCIETY. David Gratfs Statement. I commenced operations on my meadow in the autumn of 1842, with no practical experience in the business, by digging a ditch through the lowest part of the land, but the next year I found it did not clear it of superabundant water. I then ditched it on the shores, which effectually drained it. It was a peaty bottom, varying from twelve to thirty inches in depth, with a stratum of about three inches of clay, mixed with sand, imme- diately under which was a deep quick sand. In ditching, I cut through the clay into the sand, which effectually drained it. In the spring of 1844, I found it in a proper state to plant with po- tatoes, but too soft for ploughing. I then dug it with a spade, or, what the Irish call a loy, laying it in ridges about four and a half feet wide, with ditches between, from twelve to twenty inches in width. Before digging, I covered the ridges with gravel two or three inches deep. I then spread my manure on the gravel, and covered it by turning a sod each way, making it into ridges in the same manner that back furrows with a plough would do. A part of it I manured with common winter ma- nure from the barn, and a part I manured with ashes made of peat cut from between the ridges. The early kinds of potatoes did well, but the later kinds were destroyed by rust when about half grown ; still my crop averaged about four hundred bushels to the acre. In the summer of 1844, I undertook to plough a portion which had not been cultivated, but did not succeed, it being too soft for oxen to travel on. I then dug it over with the Irish loy, laying it perfectly flat, as a plough would turn it without ridging it. I then covered it with a mixture of sand, gravel and loam, about three inches deep, applying about twenty cart-loads of compost manure to the acre. I then sowed it with herds grass and red- top the first week in September. It promised well when winter set in ; but in the spring of 1845 I found some of it killed with frost, and the land in appearance somewhat spongy, to remedy which I sowed more grass seed. ESSEX SOCIETY. 19 The produce, this year, of 162 rods, is as follows : 73 rods planted with chenangoes in April, 110 bushels, $80 00 53 rods planted with blues in June, 125 bushels, . 50 00 36 rods oats, on which no application of manure had had been made, except a few ashes last year, 1500 wt 9 00 The 73 rods of land planted with chenango potatoes, was sowed with oats on the 5th and 7th of Aug- ust, and there is now, September 4, by estima- tion. 3000 wt. to the acre. . . . . 15 00 $154 00 Deduct ten dollars for rotten potatoes, . 10 00 $144 00 The potatoes were planted by perforating the sod after it was turned, and the potatoes dropped in and then covered with a slight poke with the stick one foot asunder each way, making- four rows on a ridge. Andover, October, 1845. James Marsh's Statement. The piece of reclaimed meadow, to which I ask the attention of the committee, contains about four acres. A few years since it was considered worthless, not having been mowed for many years. A part was covered with bushes and stunted maples. In the winter of 1839. I cleared the wood and bushes from the part now improved. The sprouts have been kept down yearly. In August 1843, I hired an acre dug over and laid level, (the stumps and hassocks thrown back) for twenty dollars. Such of the small roots and hassocks as became dry, I burned ; the others were carted off as soon as the meadow became frozen. I then covered it with a loamy gravel, one inch thick ; five days labor of two men and a boy, and two yoke of oxen. The work was done in the winter, when there was two feet of snow on the ground, too deep for other labor. I then applied a light dressing of manure, and sowed the grass seed April 15th. The 20 ESSEX SOCIETY. crop the first year was cut about the last of August, and yielded about one and a half tons. The present year, the acre yielded three tons of hay of prime quality. I regret the combination of circumstances that prevented the committee's seeing the crop while growing. Danvers, Sept. 24, 1845. [Note. The above mentioned premises were not visited by the committee, owing to the absence from the State of the chair- man, at the time specified by Mr. Marsh for the visit.] On Farms. Three farms have been offered for the inspection of your com- mittee, by Messrs. Daniel P. King, of Danvers, Christopher How, of Methuen, and Jonas Holt, of Andover. The farms of these gentlemen were visited in July and Sep- tember. During the past unusually warm and dry summer, Mr. King has been able to grow very handsome crops of Indian corn, hay, &c., upon gravelly loam, inclining to be dry, by the use of compost manure, the basis of which was peat mud. Mr. King considers a compost made of three or four parts of peat to one part of stable manure, well mixed and fermented in the heap, to be better for gravelly or sandy loams, than the same quantity of stable manure. The good condition of his crops during the dryest part of the season was evidence of the value of this compost for such lands. Indeed, so highly does he value peat for this purpose, that he assured us he could not farm with- out it. Peat, as a valuable ingredient in the formation of compost manure, has, hitherto, been much neglected by the farmers of this country. In Scotland, a pamphlet was published some time since, by the late Lord Meadowbanks, calling the attention of the Scotch farmers to peat as the basis for compost ; three parts of peat to be used to one of barn yard manure, and fermented in the heap. Since its extensive use there, the agriculture of the country has been greatly improved. In Mid Lothiair, a com- post so prepared is said to stand cropping, whether by grain, of ESSEX SOCIETY. 21 all sorts, hay, pasture, and potatoes ; and whether on loams/ thin clays, sand or gravel, at least equally well with farm yard manure, and at the same time it alters and amends the texture of the soil. Mr. King has made experiments with guano, salt, saltpetre and ashes. On one acre of meadow, upon which 300 lbs. of guano were spread in April, and sown with oats and grass seed, the crop of oats was heavy, and the grass seed has taken well. Indian corn grown upon guano was not as good as some grown beside it upon his compost manure. This, as the season has proved, was better than any fertilizer with which he experi- mented. Your committee were pleased with the clean culture of his hoed crops, with the smooth and workmanlike manner of inverting the sod, and re-seeding his grass lands after haying, and with the good condition of his working oxen and farm. The farm of Mr. How is in Methuen, and consists of one hundred and seventeen acres ; the soil, a gravelly loam, inter- mixed with stone, and good for grass. Some parts of the farm rise into large swells of considerable height, affording good pas- ture, and good crops when under cultivation. The ground at the base of these hills is too moist in the spring to admit of hoed crops, but produces large crops of English hay, and is kept in good condition for grass by an occasional top dressing. Since 1819, when Mr. How came in possession of his farm, it has been increased from about fifty acres to Its present extent, and from that time, when the place kept but six head of cattle, such has been his addition of uncultivated lands, and his im- provement upon the whole, that he is now able to winter from twenty to thirty head of cattle, and to sell hay the last year to the amount of $600. The addition which Mr. How has made to his farm, and the great improvement upon it, is the result of well directed and persevering industry. Your committee regret that so good a farmer should be unable to give a precise state- ment of the expense of conducting his farm ; but one thing he is certain of, — that no claims are allowed to stand against him unsettled. The farm of Mr. Holt is situated in the South Parish, in An- dover, and contains about sixty acres. He has been engaged in 22 ESSEX SOCIETY. subduing some very rough and stony ground, which may re- pay him for his labor, if the expense incurred be not too great. It was a question with the committee, whether he would not derive greater profit from his farm, by giving more attention to his field land now under cultivation. It is not always good policy to bestow much labor on subduing very rough ground, when less expense applied to the increasing of the produce of the land already under cultivation might add very much to the in- come of the farm. In consideration of his laborious efforts to bring under cultivation land very stony and rough, your com- mittee recommend that a gratuity be paid him of eight dollars. Your committee recommend an award of the first premium of twenty-five dollars to Christopher How, of Methuen, and the second premium of twenty dollars, to Daniel P. King, of Danvers. JOSIAH NEWHALL, Chairman. Christopher How's Statement. The farm that I offer for premium, contains one hundred and seventeen acres ; sixty-two acres of pasturing, and the remain- der mowing and tillage. The soil, a gravelly loam, and most of it was quite stony. I this year had five acres of winter-rye, which yielded 111 bushels ; five acres of oats, 245 bushels ; two and a half acres of corn, 143 bushels ; one and a half acre of po- tatoes, 275 bushels ; hay. I think, about 75 tons. In consequence of the drought, my hay, I think, fell short of my usual crop about 15 tons ; my corn and potatoes were also considerably in- jured by the drought. My crop of apples was also very light. I had only about 30 barrels of winter apples. This season I have kept ten cows, and have made 769 pounds of butter, and 348 pounds of cheese. I usually winter from tw'enty to thirty head of cattle, as circumstances seem to require, and sell the remainder of my hay. I usually keep a considerable number of swine, for the purpose of increasing my manure. I usually hire two hands through the farming season, and my son through the year; and about forty dollars for additional help in haying. ESSEX SOCIETY. 23 I cannot give you an exact account of my previous expenses in managing my farm, as I have not been accustomed to keep an account. I came on the farm in 1819. It then contained about fifty acres, and kept six head of cattle. All the addition that has since been made to the farm was pasture land. For planting, I usually plough soon after haying, and in the spring spread from thirty to forty loads of compost manure, and plough it in. I have, to some extent, practised ploughing grass ground in the spring, and harrow in the manure, but prefer fall ploughing. I plant one year, and sow it down (usually) with oats and hay seed. As to rye, we have not been accustomed to raise it, as it has been considered an uncertain crop. I top dress my land that is too wet for cultivation. I. have purchased considerable manure, and have recently purchased a meadow about one and a quarter mile from home, from whence I have hauled considerable peat mud. I have, to some extent, used dry and leached ashes; sometimes they have done well, at other times very little or no benefit has been derived from them. I have also used gypsum, and it has done well, espe- cially on pasture land. Methuen, Nov. 3, 1845. Daniel P. King's Statement. Before the first of July, I had no intention of inviting you to visit my farm, but then learning that there had been no entry which would secure a report from you, I was unwilling that the Society should lose the benefit of a report, for I think farm- ers derive their best hints from the observations and experience of practical farmers, embodied in such reports. I am far from thinking my management the best, or among the best : but. as it has fully answered my reasonable expecta- tions, I will, as briefly as possible, state it. My farm has great variety of soil, but the cultivated lands are mostly a gravelly loam. I have about fifty acres in mow- ing, tillage and orchard, twenty-five acres in meadow, one fourth of which is peat, seventy-five acres in pasture, and several tracts of wood land. I formerly planted from seven to ten acres 24 ESSEX SOCIETY. each year, but I have found it more profitable to raise hay than corn or potatoes. This last June, for thirty cwt. hay delivered in the barn, I received in my grain bins forty bushels of good yellow flat corn : the hay cost me, in labor and all fair charges, twelve dollars ; to raise the corn would have cost me twenty- five dollars at least. By recurring to my journal,* (for I have long kept a sort of diary, in which I have noted the employments of each day, the time of planting, hoeing and harvesting, the amount of crops, the cost of animals, current receipts and expenditures, &c.,) I find that, since the 1st of April, I have expended for labor two hundred and five dollars, and one third of this has been in mak- ing walls, ditches and permanent improvements. I have kept two pair of oxen, one horse and ten cows ; one pair of oxen which two years ago cost me fifty dollars, I have sold to the butcher for one hundred and five dollars ; four cows which cost forty-three, I have sold for seventy-eight dollars, and I have received in exchange of cows thirty dollars. I have kept no account of the milk and butter used and sold, which has been less than the usual quantity. I have four fat swine worth sev- enty-five dollars, which, one year ago, cost six dollars ; their manure paid for all the grain they have consumed. I have raised one hundred and fifty-eight bushels of corn, ninety-five bushels of oats, thirty bushels of rye, and one hundred and twenty bushels of potatoes ; of carrots, turnips and beets, about two hundred and fifty bushels, and of other vegetables and fruits an abundance. Some years I have had three or four hundred bushels of good apples, this year not more than thirty. I have cut thirty-one tons of English hay, which was made and se- cured with fifty-five days' labor ; I used a horse-rake, which paid for itself in one week ; my crop was diminished by the drought from one fourth to one third. My meadow hay was a fine crop, and got in, in good order; I have sold twelve loads of meadow hay and straw, and have, by estimation, fodder enough, * The advantages of keeping a journal, to a farmer are many. By turning to the pages of past years, he will be reminded of work which should be done in its season ; he will see where he has erred, and profit from his experience ; he will know where his money, sometimes difficult to account for, goes. ESSEX SOCIETY. 25 corn fodder included, to keep my stock, and some twelve or fif- teen tons to spare. I have carried to market twelve cords of wood, always taking a return load of manure. I purchase annually about forty-five dollars worth of manure, which I never use without composting. I have used for planting, sow- ing and top dressing, two hundred and eighty loads of compost. In the barn yard and pig pens, I make about one hundred and ten loads, and at leisure times get out peat muck and cart it into the field where it is to be used. I then mix one cord of stable or barn yard dung (preferring the stable) with four cords of muck ; after lying till the heap heats, it is again thrown over, and a few feet of fresh dung or spent ashes added, if necessary. I have found this compost better than clear manure, and equal to any thing except pig manure for corn and potatoes on grav- elly or sandy loams. I have now on hand more than one hun- dred loads of this compost, besides a good supply in the barn and pig yards, and I could not farm without it. With this kind of manure, I this year had sixty bushels of corn to the acre, without any extra labor or care. One fourth of an acre pro- duced at the rate of seventy bushels, and I raised fifty-five bushels of oats on one acre ; no great yields, certainly ; but the expense of cultivation, too, was moderate. All the land on which I have this year raised potatoes, corn and oats, has been since ploughed, manured, and laid down with rye and grass seed, with the exception of one acre of meadow, which, in April, I sowed with oats and grass seed after spreading three hundred pounds of guano ; the oat straw was very rank, and the grass has started handsomely. I have tried guano, salt, saltpetre and ashes this season, but I forbear to speak further of results, be- cause you, gentlemen, have seen them, and will determine for yourselves. My corn land I usually plant but one year; it is always ploughed in the fall, because the team is in better condition for work, more vegetable matter is ploughed under, and the soil sooner becomes mellow. I have practised ploughing in August or September, for rye ; laid the furrow flat, rolled it, spread on from twenty-five to thirty loads of compost (thirty bushels to the load), harrowed well, then sowed one peck of herds grass, 4 26 ESSEX SOCIETY. and one bushel of red top, brushed it, and then laid all smooth with a loaded roller. My rye and grass have always done well ; the straw selling from seven dollars to ten dollars per acre, and the grain bringing ten per cent, more than the southern. Di- rectly after taking off a crop of hay, early in July, I have in- verted the sod, rolled, harrowed in a good coat of compost, sow- ed one peck of millet to the acre, brushed, then sown grass seed, clover, herds, red top, and brushed and rolled smooth. I have never failed of getting a ton of millet fodder to the acre, and when the frost has delayed for about seventy days from the time of sowing, thirty or forty bushels of millet seed to the acre, and the next year, and for several years, a good crop of hay. But it is not prudent to sow millet after the tenth of July, on account of the frost; it should not be sown before the middle of May ; best sown in June. In August, I ploughed two acres of land, which was this year mowed ; rolled it flat, spread sixty loads of compost, harrowed it well, sowed one half bushel herds grass, and two bushels red top, then brushed and rolled it smooth. This process has always succeeded with me. In planting my corn the present season, instead of cross fur- rowing, I ran the plough but one way, and not so deep as to disturb the sod, nearly filled the furrows, which were four feet distant in part of the field, with my common compost, in part with pig manure, then dropped the kernels in the furrows, six inches apart, and covered, leaving the surface of the ground even ; in May, went between the rows with the cultivator and hoe, and again, the last of June, but making no hill, and this, with the exception of pulling by hand a few weeds, was all the culture. The crop, as you witnessed, was clean and heavy. In October, 1842, I ploughed three acres of field land, which had been in grass five years, and rolled it. In May following, har- rowed it and spread seventy loads of compost, which was well harrowed, then marked the hills four feet apart each way, drop- ped the corn and covered ; in June went through with the cul- tivator and hoe, and late in July sowed grass seed among the standing corn, went through with the cultivator and hoe, mak- ing no hills ; in October, the corn was cut up close, and the ground rolled with a loaded roller. On one acre I had one hun- ESSEX SOCIETY. 27 dred and two baskets of good corn, and the crops of grass have been fair. I have since followed this plan with better success, when I have used more and better compost. I have this year let five acres of meadow and three pasture lots. I have top dressed my reclaimed meadows with a com-, post of loam and warm manure, and have further extended my experiments in reclaiming meadows. I have attempted some improvements on bushy and mossy pastures, which now promise well ; on these, I have sown winter and multicole rye with some spurry and common grass seed. If I have raised no large crops, the expense and labor have been moderate, and I have the satisfaction of thinking that my farm is in an improving condition. Danvers, Nov. 4, 1845. Jonas Holt's Statement. I keep a hired man seven months, pay him thirteen dollars per month. I keep one yoke of oxen, one horse, five cows, and have four young cattle. I compost all my manure, mixing the manure from the horse stable, the cow yard and the hog pen altogether, carry the ma- nure out into the field from these several places in the fall, heap it up and cover the heap with meadow muck or loam. In the spring, I take what manure is made by the cattle and horse, carry it out into the field, and mix it with the heap drawn out in the fall. Where it is not too rough, I spread my manure broadcast, but where the land is very rough and stony, I put it in the hill ; but I prefer the broadcast system where it is prac- ticable. I have dug, probably, about one hundred loads of muck, this summer, to lie and freeze for next year's use. I have dug fifty rods of ditch in the pasture (since you last visited my farm), thirty-six inches wide at the top, eighteen inches deep, and twelve inches at the bottom ; and have ploughed seven acres of my bush pasture, sowed four acres with rye for feed, two bush- els of rye to the acre ; the remaining three acres I intend to sow with oats in the spring for feed, in order to test the compar- 28 ESSEX SOCIETY. ative value of oats and rye for feed. Where I sow rye, I also sow timothy at the same time, six quarts of seed to the acre ; and in March or April, sow six pounds of clover seed on the snow, and let the rain cover it. Andover, Oct. 22, 1845. Fruit Trees. The Committee on Nurseries of Fruit Trees, John M. Ives, Chairman, recommended that the first premium, of ten dollars, and Colman's European Agriculture, be awarded to Joshua H. Ordway, of West Newbury ; and the second premium, of ten dollars, to Ephraim Woods, of Salem. Joshua H. Ordway' s Statement. The trees, to which I would call your particular attention, are two lots of apple, one lot of from fifteen to eighteen hundred, two and three years old from the bud, the other of twenty-five hundred, one year from the bud, stocks four from seed, trans- planted when two years old. The following was the course pursued in raising the last named lot, which is, I think, the best method, on a soil like mine, which is rather difficult to cultivate, being a hard gravel and slate, with a strong clay subsoil, naturally ill adapted for raising trees or fruit. In the autumn of 1841, I ploughed about fifteen rods of land, eight inches deep, where corn grew that season, spread two loads of fine barn yard manure on the sur- face, and harrowed it smooth ; I then, by line, made shallow drills three feet apart, into which I scattered pomace, as taken from the mill, sufficiently thick, covering it lightly, not exceed- ing half an inch deep ; the trees came up well, were hoed seve- ral times, the unhealthy ones taken out. In two seasons, they made a good uniform growth. In the spring of 1844, they, be- ing two years old, were transplanted (first cutting off the tap root), in rows four feet apart, ten inches from each other, care being taken to select those of uniform size and thrift ; the re- mainder are set on another lot, not being of sufficient size to bud. ESSEX SOCIETY. 29 In August following, I budded twenty-five hundred with the best standard varieties, mostly winter fruit ; the buds took fine- ly ; in several rows of one hundred each, scarcely a bud failed. They have made a very straight, uniform growth this season. I practise shield or T budding, and put the bud on the south- west side of the tree, the rows running southeast, they are then not exposed to the sleet and snow of winter. I formerly lost many buds by inserting them on the " back " side of the tree. Another advantage in putting the bud on the south, is the greater portion and quicker flow of sap on that side, as every one knows that a bud takes best where there is the most sun and sap. I learned, some twenty years ago, to take out the wood from the bud, but soon gave up the practice. I should as soon think, now, of taking out the pith of a scion. On a part of the ground on which these trees stand, the ma- nure was ploughed in, and on a part, spread on the surface, in equal quantities ; the latter is decidedly the best practice in nur- series ; in fact, for any, and all crops, I have succeeded best, where I followed nature, and apply the manure to the surface, working it in with a harrow or cultivator, sufficiently to prevent evaporation. I use any manure in a fine state, which I happen to have when wanted, on the surface, working it in with a cul- tivator, the rows being sufficiently wide to allow a horse to pass without injury to the trees. I prefer, however, a compost, of stable and hog manure one part, and two of muck and turf from the brook. I have never manured the same piece of ground oftener than once in three or four years. Much more depends upon good cul- ture than high manuring, to obtain good healthy trees, besides being much more valuable for planting in orchards, not being of such "fungus" materials. To the query of the committee, whether I could suggest some remedy to prevent young trees, as is common, from bending with the wind, I would say, that I know of no better one, than to raise strong stocks, that will throw up a vigorous shoot, able to resist the action of the wind, and let all the leaves remain on the trunk. The practice of many people of stripping them off, is very injurious. 30 ESSEX SOCIETY. I don't prune much, as the trees advance in age and size, merely cutting off superfluous branches, and keep a good bal- ance of the top. A word in regard to the time of transplanting trees to the nursery, or orchard. I have had much the best success, when removing them in early spring, with few exceptions. Young trees set in the fall, are liable to be thrown out by frost ; and all, whether large or small, often suffer injury, by having their roots severely frozen, when the ground is bare, during our se- vere winters. Ordway's Nursery, West Neivbury, Oct. 30, 1845. Live Fences. The committee, Joseph How, Chairman, recommend that George Cogswell, of Bradford, the only claimant, receive the first premium, of twenty dollars. George CogswelVs Statement. A part of the hedge which I offer for premium, is hawthorn ; the other part is buckthorn. There are about seven rods of the hawthorn, which was set by me in the spring of 1834. The plants were then two years old, taken from a nursery at Indian Hill Farm, West New- bury, Mass. They were placed six inches apart, without any preparation of the soil. They were cut within six inches of the ground when set out; the September following, trimmed nearly back to the first cutting ; spring following, in June, trimmed to within eight inches of the last cutting ; again in Sep- tember, trimmed nearly back to the spring cutting : and so on from year to year, to its present growth, which is five feet three inches high, and three feet thick. It is now eight years since the hedge was set ; for the last three, it has been used as a fence to my front yard, and has proved an impenetrable barrier to any annoyance which might occur from numerous droves of cattle and swine. It has been kept free from weeds, and manured twice. No plant of the original number has died. During the summer, this presents a beautiful and delicate foliage, surpass- ESSEX SOCIETY. 31 ing that of any other hedge-plant with which I am acquainted. For some seasons, in September, its beauty has been marred by the slug- worm ; besides this, it is perfect ; cattle do not browse or hook it. The buckthorn hedge was set out in the spring of 1839 ; the plants were then two years old ; the mode of trimming has been nearly the same as the other. A part of the soil is moist, the rest somewhat dry. No plants have died. It appears hardy, and holds green till late in the season. As a hedge-plant, it re- quires a longer time than the hawthorn, having few thorns. The cattle browse it in some measure, and also hook it. This hedge is about seventeen rods in length. The above statement was made by me to the Society, and published in its doings in 1842. Since then, both of the above mentioned hedges have been trimmed twice a year, generally in the months of June and August. At the present time, my hawthorn hedge measures five and a half feet in height, and three and a half feet in thickness. My buckthorn measures four and three fourths feet in height, and three and a half feet in thickness. The hawthorn has continued to flourish, and has retained its foliage the present season longer than ever before. The buckthorn has served as a fence to protect my garden for the last two years. Hawthorn Place, Bradford, Sept. 23, 1845. Vegetables. The exhibition of vegetables has been gratifying to the com- mittee, in the highest degree. This is partly owing to the fact, that, while there was no deficiency in vegetables of uncommon size, mere monster productions seem not to have been sought for, but a larger proportion of the articles were of the useful and indispensable kinds. The committee would particularly ap- prove of every attempt to improve the potato, that valuable ar- ticle, indispensable the world over. The efforts of Abel Burn- ham, of Essex, by which he has been able to produce thirteen kinds of seedling potatoes, apparently now full grown the sec- ond year from the apple, must strike every one as meritorious. 32 ESSEX SOCIETY. So the specimen of Indian corn, produced by Isaac Babson, of Beverly, accompanied by a statement of Rev. E. M. Stone, is exceedingly fine. Whatever may be the facilities for obtaining corn further south, every effort should be made to produce it in our own fields, and the idea of ripening it before the early frosts is most important ; this is, perhaps, of more consequence than the mere abundance of the crop, attended with the usual uncer- tainty of ripening before the frosts of early autumn. For the Committee, D. CHOATE. Edwin M. Stone's Statement. The accompanying twelve ears of corn, of the twelve and eight rowed kind, I gathered from the field on Tuesday of last week (16th September). They are a fair sample of an acre and two thirds, cultivated by a neighbor, Mr. Isaac Babson, which was in proper condition to harvest last week. The corn was in silk on the 28th of June, and the stalks were fit to cut 18th of August, and were cut 25th of that month. Mr. Babson has planted this variety several years, and has uniformly obtained fifty bushels to the acre. He thinks his field will yield at that rate the present season. He plants four feet apart each way, and manures in the hill. The weight of this corn, when in or- der for grinding, has been found, upon trial, to be sixty -pounds to the bushel, or three thousand pounds to the acre. My principal object in procuring and presenting these sam- ples, is to afford a practical demonstration of what farmers, with a little pains, may do, to bring their corn to early maturity. Mr. Babson' s practice has been, for a number of years, to select his seed, in the field, from the fairest and most forward ears ; and the re- sult is, that his corn ripens a fortnight earlier than it did when he commenced planting this kind. This, it seems to me, is an important fact, and, if duly heeded by farmers generally, will place their corn crops beyond the reach of our earliest frosts, as well as the storms of October, which often beat down and soil the butt stalks. Beverly i September 24, 1845. ESSEX SOCIETY. 33 Experiments on Manures. No claims for the premiums offered under this head, have been made; the terms of the offer being for "an exact and satisfac- tory experiment in the application, as well as the preparation of manures." The only communication received is from Mr. Da- vid Wood, of Newbury, who, desirous of subserving the inter- ests of agriculture, has favored the committee with a detailed statement of the materials used, and the manner in which he caused them to be mixed, in his compost heap. Manure is the essential element in New England farming, and the question, How can I obtain the greatest quantity at the least expense 1 should interest every farmer. The cattle ordinarily kept on the farms in this vicinity will not afford a sufficient supply of this essential requisite of good crops. How can this deficiency be supplied with the least outlay of money and labor 1 What ma- terials are best adapted for compost, and how shall they be com- pounded 1 Mr. Wood's communication answers these questions, by giving the manner in which he prepared a large quantity of excellent compost. The subject of composting manure should be kept constantly before the minds of farmers ; and, regarding Mr. Wood's suggestions as highly worthy of attention, we re- commend that his letter be published in the Society's Transac- tions. For the Committee, J. H. DUNCAN. David Wood's Statement. At the request of several practical agriculturists, I am in- duced to call your attention to a compost of manure, prepared on my farm during the present year. The heap is composed of materials as at foot, and placed in layers of from six inches to a foot, according to the nature of the materials. The heap has been saturated from time to time, with ten hogsheads of soap boiler's lye, and two hogsheads of urine from my stable tank. The heap was commenced in Au- gust, 1844, and increased, from time to time, as the materials re- 34 ESSEX SOCIETY. quired removing, or at "odd jobs," when there was no other employment for my hands and team, and finished in December. It was, however, opened in January (not having frozen on top during the whole winter), at the earnest entreaty of a neighbor, whose horse had died, and he wished the body interred. The heap consists of, — 46 loads of strong manure from the hog yard, 71 " salt meadow sods, from the banks of the Merrimack, 8 " loam, top soil, where a road was formed, 5 ." lime and hair from the tan pits, 6 " decayed chips from ship yard, 2 " anthracite coal ashes, 15 " potato vines, 2 " refuse sizing from steam factory, 2 carcasses of horses brought to the spot, 2 hogsheads of urine from my stable tank, 10 " of soap-boiler's lye, hauled from Newburyport. The materials here used, with the exception of the manure from my stable, and five loads of matter from the tan yard, cost merely the labor of hauling. The heap was thrown over last week, for the first time, and upon opening, with the exception of about eighteen inches on the sides in thickness, which, by reason of an uncommonly dry summer, were baked hard, it was found in a perfect mass of decomposition, of about the consist- ency of brick-layers' mortar, emitting an odor so powerful, that I observed those occupied in throwing it over, eager to keep to the windward. Of the carcasses, nothing was to be seen but the bones ; the potato vines had entirely rotted; the meadow sods were hardly to be distinguished from the stable manure ; and nothing re- mained in the state in which it was placed there, save the coal ashes, which I shall hereafter esteem, in a compost heap, as of no more value than so much sand. The sides of the heap were thrown into the centre, and the whole well mixed and thrown into a compact heap, there to re- main until next spring, when I intend to spread it on the land, plough it in, and plant with potatoes and corn. Here I have a pile of 150 loads of powerful manure, at an ESSEX SOCIETY. 35 expense of about fifty dollars, and of double the value to the land, of manure for which I have paid heretofore two dollars per load, and hauled it from town. I would earnestly recommend farmers to commence the com- post heap, rather than depend upon the towns for their supply of manure. A salt or fresh meadow is accessible to almost every farmer, and this alone, after lying exposed to the sun awhile and dried, then saturated with lye from the soap-boilers', which any one can have about here for the hauling, makes a strong manure. The lye furnishes just the necessary materials to convert the meadow sods into an active manure, viz : potash. I consider a hogshead of lye of more value in a compost heap, than two loads of stable manure. Dr. Dana, in his Manual, says : " The value of spent lye has been tested for a series of years, and has shown its good effects on grass lands, for four or five years after its application." Indeed, so valuable is spent lye considered by Dr. Dana, as a manure, that he gives a receipt in his Manual, whereby the farmer may himself prepare it, should he live too remote from the soap-boiler. In many towns in New England, the lye is sold to the farmer as high as twenty-five cents per barrel ; and one farmer writes me, that he buys and hauls it eight miles, to mix in his compost heaps. Yet, notwithstanding its fertilizing properties, thousands of hogsheads are allowed to flow in our gutters to the river, the citizen turning up his nose as he passes it, and the farmer crossing it with his team in pursuit of manure, at two dollars per load, when he has meadows that need ditching at home, and materials all about him for a compost heap. Loudon, in his Encyclopaedia of Agriculture, says, that the carcass of one dead horse will convert twenty tons of loam into a powerful manure ; and yet how many carcasses are thrown into the Merrimac during the year, or suffered to remain in the pasture, food for birds of prey, and infecting the air for miles around. There are few farms in the county, the crops of which may not be doubled by the application of manure. Farmers all ad- mit this ; but then, say they, we cannot afford to pay the price that is demanded for manure. 36 ESSEX SOCIETY. Let them go to work in earnest, and form their compost heaps ; first cover a space, sixteen by twenty feet, with meadow sods, one foot high ; leave this to the action of the sun for a month or two ; then saturate it with a hogshead or two of lye, spread six inches of stable manure on the top of this, and cover it with potato vines, chip manure, weeds, or meadow mud; saturate this as before with lye, next a layer of stable manure, and so on, till the heap is seven or eight feet high. Let it remain a year, and upon opening it at the end of that period, my word for it, the compost heap will not be neglected the next year. Woodland, near Newburyport, Sept. 23, 1845. Domestic Manufactures. The committee, A. M. Farley, Chairman, say, that "the arti- cles entered for exhibition were more varied than in former years ; and they are pleased to see that the mechanics of our county are making exertions for, and taking more advantage of, the exhibitions of the Society than formerly." A gratuity of five dollars Avas awarded to George D. Varney, of Newburyport, for an important improvement in the Survey- ing Compass. It has a vertical circle so attached to the compass, that verti- cal angles can be taken by it with perfect ease and precision. It has a level attached, and the usual apparatus for adjusting, and when your survey has been all made, and you wish to plot, by placing the instrument on the paper upon your table, it will measure off the angles of the survey with great ease, and with the same accuracy as the survey itself, because you use the same instrument. It may be used for a level for surveying land, taking heights and distances, and plotting. It is made by the inventor, Mr. Yarney, in the neatest and most accurate man- ner ; and it is difficult to say which most to admire, the ingenu- ity of the invention, or the skill with which it is manufactured. MIDDLESEX SOCIETY. 37 MIDDLESEX AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. The following account of the exhibition of the Agricultural Society in this county is given by its Secretary, Moses Prich- ard, of Concord. The Society of Middlesex Husbandmen and Manufacturers, held their fifty-second Annual Festival at Concord, October 1st, 1845. Cattle Show, as it is generally called, is, throughout the coun- ty, if not throughout the State, the farmers' holiday, and to be present on that occasion, and to bring to its exhibition some arti- cle or product, is a matter of calculation and enterprise with them for weeks and months beforehand. From almost every town and neighborhood they come to this fair, bringing the rarest and choicest of their fruits and vegetables, their nicest butter and their noblest cattle, and spend this one day, at least, in comparing the results of their own and other's labors, and in receiving and imparting information and knowledge on the many topics so interesting and useful to them. The practical results of such an incentive, and the benefits of the information thus sown broad-cast through the county, are too immense to be numbered or known. They may be seen, however, by the most careless observer, in the improved appearance of the farms, and the more comfortable appearance of the families that line every road-side. Farmers, unlike the members of any other profession or calling, can meet on their own ground and devote it to their own purposes. The morning of the day of jur cattle show, this year, was very unpropitious, a violent rain preventing hundreds from at- tending ; and thus not only reducing the number of articles for exhibition, but detracting very much from the interest and use- fulness of the festival, by the absence of some of the ablest and oldest members of the Society. Notwithstanding the rain, however, a large number were 38 MIDDLESEX SOCIETY. present early, and the Ploughing Match, which came off at 9 o'clock, in a most pelting storm, was well attended. The whole number of double and single teams was twenty -five, and the zeal and earnestness of the ploughmen seemed only increased by the rain. The double teams ploughed nine inches deep, and the single, eight inches. The soil, a rich loam, was rendered heavy by the wet, but the work was never done better. Great improvement, both in ploughs and in the manner of using this important instrument, has been manifested within a few years, owing, in a great measure, to the influence of the annual trials at these exhibitions. The cattle pens were well filled with very excellent speci- mens of neat stock, although this county is by no means a grazing county, and the number of cattle, raised in it but few more than is required to stock the farms. Of course it is from these that the specimens must come, and animals that are daily used will hardly compare with those which are kept for show or meat. The milch cows and heifers, in particular, were many of them remarkably fine animals for native breeds, one cow having given milk enough to make fifteen pounds of butter in one week, according to the certificate and affidavit of the owner. The bulls, both of native and cross breeds, were fine, large, well-formed animals, showing that greater attention is paid each year to the quality of the stock to be raised, even if the quantity is small. In swine, perhaps, more than in any other animals, has there been the greatest improvement. Those ex- hibited this year make a wonderful contrast in their small heads, short limbs and large bodies, with the gaunt, long-nosed, horse- limbed animals that a few years since filled the farmers' pens. This may be traced very directly to the influence of the reports of the Committees on Swine in past years, combining useful hints as to selection and care, and following with unmerciful ridicule the improper courses then adopted in these respects. The exhibition of household and domestic manufactures was not large, but was very good and ingenious. That of lump butter was also very good. The display of fruit, perhaps, pre- sented the strongest contrast over former years, and afforded the clearest indication of the benefits resulting from such exhi- MIDDLESEX SOCIETY. 39 bitions, of any article or department. In place of a few choice specimens of native fruit, that had developed itself in a more than ordinary degree, here were tables loaded with the best and rarest kinds of apples, pears, plums, peaches, grapes, melons, &c., exceeding in quantity and quality the exhibitions of former years. Perhaps something of this may have been owing to the productiveness of the season, but still more is to be attributed to the exhibitions of the Society, which have demonstrated so con- clusively that it is just as easy to obtain choice varieties and rich and abundant supplies of these articles, as the poor, meagre kinds formerly in use. Thus have been brought together from all parts of the county whatever fruits possess peculiar ex- cellence, and our farmers have learned both where to procure and how to raise such as will afford a present gratification and a future profit. In no one department of agriculture has there been so much improvement as in the cultivation of fruit. Those engaged in it have at length learned that it is by far the easiest and most profitable part of farming ; and having thus learned, they have demonstrated by this exhibition, that nowhere have attention and care produced greater results. The drawing match was as usual well attended. At 11 o'clock, the Society formed in procession, and, escorted by the Bedford band, proceeded to the Court House, where they listen- ed to an excellent address from Doctor Israel Hildreth, of Dra- cut. After the address, the several committees attended to the duties assigned them, and met the Society again at two o'clock, when all sat down to the annual dinner, and afterwards lis- tened, while discussing the rich and bountiful supply of fruits from the tables of the exhibition, to appropriate sentiments and speeches from many of the members present, and at four o'clock, the premiums were publicly announced. Accompanying the above return, is a list of the premiums awarded by the Society, the objects for which they were offered, and the amounts awarded for the same, at the close. The re- ports of the different committees, as returned, are very brief, with the exception of that on farms containing little else than an award of the premiums. By these, it appears that there were eleven milch cows entered for premiums, " all of them of 40 MIDDLESEX SOCIETY. a superior quality," eighteen boxes of butter, of which the committee say, " that it is as good as any they ever saw," and eighty-five different specimens of fruit, for which premiums were awarded. Twelve double teams contested at the plough- ing match, " all of which," say the committee, " performed the work in a workmanlike manner ; so much so, that they were in doubt who were the successful competitors ; but after due de- liberation, they award the Society's premiums as follows : — To Abel Moore, of Concord, 1st premium, . . . $10 (Plough — Rugglcs, Nourse & Mason.) To Andrew Conant, of Concord, 2d premium, . . $8 (Plough — Ruggles, Nourse & Mason.) To Silas Holden, of Acton, 3d premium, . . . $6 (Plough — Ruggles, Nourse & Mason.) To Joseph A. Smith, of Acton, 4th premium, . . $4 (Plough — Prouty & Mears.) The committee were pleased to see so little use made of the lash : some made no use at all of it." On Farms, &c. The applications for examination and premiums, were more numerous this, than in any former year, being as follows, viz. : On farms eight, on reclaimed bog or lowlands ten, on apple or- chards six, on peach orchards five, on pear orchards four, on plum trees one, on the manufacture of compost manure one, making a total of thirty-five, being six more than on any for- mer occasion, all of which have been visited and examined by your committee. No premiums are claimed this year on white mulberry or forest trees, and none on cranberry meadows. In consequence of suggestions made by some of the applicants for premiums, that it might not be advisable to make too free a use of the names of the unsuccessful competitors, the commit- tee have come to the conclusion to make use of those names only, which were successful in their applications. The commit- tee, however, would remark, that some of the unsuccessful competitors were deprived of any premium from their peculiar MIDDLESEX SOCIETY. 41 position, having received at some former exhibition a less pre- mium than the highest ; and in this connection your committee would further remark, that the improvements made by some of the applicants who have no premiums awarded, are by no means inferior, nay more, in more than one year within the last ten, would any of them have been entitled to the Society's' first premiums. The committee, however, did not confine their examina- tions merely to the farms and orchards of those who called them out, but extended their examinations and observations to many farms, orchards, bogs, &c, where no premiums were claimed. In doing this, the committee derive satisfaction in being able to say, that farming in general is now going ahead with greater speed in Middlesex than at any former period within the eighteen years, while a portion of the committee have had the pleasure of giving attention to some branch of this service. We do not mean to say that farming is more prof- itable now than ever before, but that improvements in farming, in some shape or other, are greater. We are willing to believe that the great temperance reform has exerted a powerful influ- ence in aid of improved farming. Within the past month, we have examined hundreds of acres of low lands or meadow, which are in some stage of improvement, that five years since were almost worthless. In some cases, where the land did not produce any thing of value, now more than three tons of good hay are made to the acre annually. And again, in the article of compost, which is the main stay with a Middlesex farmer, the preparations for making are almost incredible. The com- mittee have witnessed something like forty barn cellars in the course of their examinations, which have been put in a state of forwardness within the last year ; and if every section of the county shall be in this proportion, we are willing to believe that in ten years there will be but few farmers in our county without a compost manufactory under his barn. In their examination of fruit trees, the committee regret to find so much disease, es- pecially among the peach trees, which appears to be general, and thus far no one seems to know the origin, or the antidote. Notwithstanding all this, the committee have found some fine 6 42 MIDDLESEX SOCIETY. peach orchards. In examining the apple orchards, it was found that the apple tree borers had almost disappeared ; whereas, in former years, they were very numerous. This we account for, by the practice of keeping the land where the trees stand almost in constant cultivation. In examining the pear trees, especially those where a premium was asked, we found but two orchards that could possibly be entitled to a premium under our rules, and in these cases some of the trees were not so thrifty as was desira- ble. A cause for this stunted appearance we could not discover. The committee believe that it was the intention of the trus- tees, when they instituted premiums on farms, to grant a pre- mium to the person who should produce satisfactory evidence of having made the greatest improvements on his or her farm, within a given number of years, and not to the person who might happen to be in possession of the best cultivated farm at the time of the examination, unless it were made so by the present applicant within the last ten, fifteen, or twenty years. This has uniformly been the principle adopted by the commit- tee. Acting upon this principle, we have found it very difficult, in many cases, to determine who has in reality done the most to improve his farm. This is the grand question, and involves two or three others, viz., how has he done it 1 when did he do it 1 what were his means ) Here is a farm that was made beautiful by the Creator ; here is another so completely the re- verse, that a stranger, on passing the two, would be inclined to say, these represent the two extremes. This year, the commit- tee have had both these farms to examine for a premium. The occupant of Paradise in miniature had done well. His fruit trees were not to be despised, and his buildings were princely. He was a working man himself, and he taught his boys to work also. How could a committee of common farmers, after hav- ing fared sumptuously at the rich man's table, have gone away without having it in their hearts to give him a premium. But wait a moment. Let us again look at that hilly, rocky, grav- elly, muddy concern in yonder town. They do look and exam- ine closely. They ask many questions, such as these : — what was the condition of this place when you came upon it twenty years ago? how were the fields, fences, buildings, &c., at that time? MIDDLESEX SOCIETY. 43 Those heavy walls, which have been built since, must answer that question in part, and these, pointing to the very large ones still in the ground, must likewise speak. My means were small when I began here. I have built these walls, this house and barn, set out these trees, brought up and educated these children, yet I have had to work hard, and so has my wife, but we have always contrived to live within our income, and therefore I am now clear from debt. Now comes the ques- tion of means again. The occupant of Eden was rich when he began ; he is so now. Question. Who shall have the premi- um ? Answer. He of the great rocks, for he has had but one half his land to work upon, the other half being still covered with them. It is true, these are extreme cases, yet they are both found in Middlesex, which is full of variety. A portion of this committee have travelled much in the middle and west- ern States of this Union, yet in no State have they found finer farms, or coarser ones, than in this county. The committee would say one word more concerning reclaim- ed bog or swamp land. The zeal manifested by many who are now engaged in this most laudable enterprise, is worthy of all praise. In one instance, we were called to view a lot of re- claimed bog of about four acres, which was situated in a mead- ow more than a mile in length, a great portion of which is now in progress for English grass, and bids fair in eight years to pro- duce a thousand tons of first rate hay, where, six years ago, nothing but a light crop of poor meadow hay, and a heavy crop of worthless bushes could be obtained. This large meadow was principally in one town. If other towns in the county do as well, Middlesex, as regards farming, is on the safe side. The committee with great unanimity award the premiums as follows, viz. : — To Ebenezer Richardson, of Pepperell, the Society's first pre- mium of $25 00, for having made the greatest improvements upon his farm within the last ten years. To Ephraim P. Spaulding, of Chelmsford, the second pre- mium of $20 00. To Aaron H. Felton, of Marlborough, the third premium of $15 00. 44 MIDDLESEX SOCIETY. To Amos Carlton, of Chelmsford, the fourth premium of $12 00. These gentlemen are all first rate practical farmers, and are making money with fair speed, not, however, with rail-road speed, but yet fast enough to be permanent. The committee would express a wish that there were ten thousand just such in the county. Reclaimed Bog Meadows. To Eliakim Hutchins, of Westford, the first premium of $20 00, for the most judicious improvement upon two acres of worthless bog meadow, within two years last past, and which now produces more than two tons of good hay to the acre, an- nually. To Elijah Wood, Jr., of Concord, the second premium of $12 00. To Schuyler Parks, of Lincoln, the third premium of $8 00. Mr. Wood, having a hard subsoil in a portion of his meadow, practises the blind ditch system, that is, stones and covers over smooth. This is done to drain off the surplus water. Apple Orchards. To Abel Moore, of Concord, the first premium of $15 00, for the best apple orchard, set out since 1835, containing 150 trees. To Thomas S. Tuttle, of Littleton, 100 trees, the second pre- mium, of $12 00. To Nathan Barrett, of Concord, 100 trees, the third premium of $8 00. Peach Orchards. For the best peach orchard, containing 144 trees, set out since 1843, to Jeremiah Russell, of Watertown, the Society's first premium of $10 00. To Jeremiah Russell, Jr., of Watertown, more than 50 trees, second premium of $8 00. Pear Orchards. To John H. Marshall, of Framingham, for the best pear trees, 90 in number, set out since 1839, a part only being thrifty, the first premium of $10 00. MIDDLESEX SOCIETY. 45 To Dr. Whitney, of Framingham, more than 20 trees, second premium of $5 00. Plum Trees. To Simon Tuttle, of Acton, for 25 plum trees, set out since 1840, rather ordinary, the second premium of $3 00. Compost Manure. To Augustus Tuttle, of Concord, for the best compost heap, not less than 20 cords, first premium of $10 00. NAHUM HARDY, Chairman. /Statement of Augustus Tuttle. In the first place, I have a lane 20 rods long by 20 feet wide, leading from my barn yard to pasture, where I keep my cattle. In this, I place from fifty to a hundred loads of peat mud, in order to pulverize it, which is done in a short time, by the cattle passing over it. I have a barn 70 feet long, by 40 wide, which I built in 1828, with cellar nine feet deep under the whole ; after the mud gets sufficiently pulverized, I cart it (to- gether with loam) into the cellar, to the depth of three feet un- der the stalls, that it may receive and retain the urine, as well as the droppings, for I consider the fertilizing qualities of the urine, nearly equal to that of the droppings. I frequently spread the manure, and throw on fresh mud and loam, also ashes and lime ; and the hogs which I keep in the cellar, I find very useful in mixing the same. My stock, which consists of about twenty head of cattle and two horses, I keep in the barn all the time during the winter, and the manure made in the manner I have described, is, in my opinion, better in most respects, than any other. 46 WORCESTER SOCIETY. WORCESTER COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. In the return of the doings of this Society, its Corresponding Secretary, John W. Lincoln, of Worcester, states, that " The cattle show, exhibition of manufactures, and ploughing match, was had on the 8th of October last, and was highly creditable to the society. An increased interest appeared to be taken in it, by the attendance of a much larger number of spectators than has been witnessed at any previous year. An elegant, amusing and instructive Address, was delivered to a large and attentive audi- ence, by the Hon. Benjamin F. Thomas. In consequence of his having declined to comply with the request of the trustees, as to the publication of his Address, no other publication has been made the present year by the society, except in the public newspapers." From the premium list, reports of committees, and statements accompanying the same, the following selections are made. Ploughing Match. In their remarks on this head, in the premium list, the trus- tees say, "as they believe, that with one pair of well trained oxen and a skilful ploughman, the work, for every useful pur- pose, on a good soil, may be sufficiently performed, they have thought proper to discontinue the premiums for ploughs with two yokes of oxen, who do the work at great additional expense of labor, and they therefore offer for the best work with one yoke of oxen, driven by the ploughman. As the great object of this part of the exhibition is to excite emulation in the construc- tion and use of the most important instrument of agriculture, the plough, the competitors in the ploughing match must not only own their respective ploughs and oxen, but the jyloughs must be those which have been used on their farms not less than sixty days previous to the exhibition ; and the ploughman, if he be not the owner, must be a man employed on the owner's farm by the month or year. WORCESTER SOCIETY. 47 Selections from Report of Committee. Twenty-two teams were on the ground. The work was com- pleted at various times ; from forty-two minutes to over one hour. The first premium of $10 was awarded to Elbridge G. Wheelock, of Millbury, himself ploughman. Simon Carpenter, of Charlton, 2d premium, . . . $9 Thomas J. Wheelock, of Grafton, 3d premium, . . 8 Horace Stockwell, of Sutton, 4th premium, ... 7 Joseph H. Whitney, of Westborough, 5th premium, . . 6 Anson Warren, of Westborough, 6th premium, ... 5 Reuben Carpenter, of Sturbridge, 7th premium; . . 4 Allen Newhall, of Spencer, 8th premium, ... 3 Reuben Newhall, of Spencer, 9th premium, ... 2 William Eames, of Worcester, 10th premium, ... 1 It is a remarkable fact, that six practical farmers should have awarded the first premium, among twenty-two competitors, to a pair of two years old steers ; but it is quite as remarkable, that they should have fully deserved it. A question was made by some of the competitors, whether two years old steers could be termed oxen, within a fair construction of the rules of the soci- ety ; but the committee were of the opinion, that the term oxen, when connected with ploughing, was not confined to any par- ticular age, but depended on their discipline and capacity to manage a plough ; and that, within this definition, there were no animals on the field better entitled to the appellation than these steers. And besides, precedent has well established the rule. Double teams of two and three years old steers have several times taken premiums, and last year, a premium was awarded to a double team, one pair of which were yearlings. Your committee have been amply compensated for their arduous services, by the high degree of skill manifested in the discipline of the cattle and holding of the plough. Skill in hold- ing the plough ! How strangely such an expression would strike the ear of a dandy, or of a shop-boy six weeks behind the counter ! Yet there are very few mechanical operations requiring a more accurate eye, or more good judgment, than guiding the plough. Your committee were of opinion, and so 48 WORCESTER SOCIETY. voted unanimously, that there was not a team on the ground which would not have been an honorable competitor in any common ploughing match. REJOICE NEWTON, Chairman. Fat Cattle. The committee, after examining the animals and hearing the mode and expense of fatting, awarded the first premium of $12 to Seth Wyman, of Shrewsbury, for his red ox, weighing 2565 lbs. The second premium of $10 to Lewis Barnard, of Wor- cester, for his ox weighing 2190 lbs. The third premium of $8 to L. & E. L. Barnard, of Worcester, for their ox, weighing 2140 lbs. The fourth premium of $5 to L. & E. L. Barnard, for their ox, weighing 2190 lbs. The ox offered by Moses Gill, six years old, weighing 1800 lbs. was a very good ox, and the committee recommend a gratuity of $3 to Mr. Gill. The first premium of $10 to Nathaniel Dodge, of Sutton, for his off steer, a most perfect animal as well as fat, weight 1525 lbs. To Seth Wyman, of Shrewsbury, the second premium of $6 for his red steer, weighing 1615 lbs. And to Nathaniel Dodge, the third premium of $4, for his near steer, weighing 1490 lbs. SALEM TOWN, Chairman. Working Oxen. Extracts from Report. It is quite apparent that the interest of the people of the County of Worcester, in cattle, is large. If, then, by any pro- cess, this great interest can be increased in value, ought it to be neglected I The farmers can judge correctly, that, the basis of all that is desirable, we already have the raw material, the bone and muscle; what we need is a finer development of the prop- erties of oar cattle, more symmetry, greater aptitude to take flesh and deeper milkers. We can have all these, and at little expense. Let the farmers countenance those who import, and those who breed thorough-bred bulls and cows, because a con- WORCESTER SOCIETY. 49 tinuance of the thorough breed is necessary to the improvement of our native stock. Let them take advantage of the opportu- nity thus presented them of engrafting upon their native breed properties which all good judges have decided that the foreign breed possess, and our fields, at no distant day, will present a still more delightful spectacle. The dairy maid will call for more pans, the good woman will send off an increased number of rolls of golden-colored butter, every week, to market ; the shambles will be studded with larger and heavier quarters of beef; and, what is better than all, the farmer will have more dollars to shell out when his sons and daughters get married, or when the knock of the poor and unfortunate is heard at his door. BELA TIFFANY, Chairman. Bulls under One Year Old. The committee report that the number presented for premi- ums was unusually small, being only six, but the quality of the few presented was excellent. They award the first premium to Moses Gill, of Princeton. His calf is six months old, native breed, from a two year old heifer, has had only his mother's milk, she feeding only on grass, weighs 600 lbs, and is extremely well proportioned. The second premium they award to Moses Ayres, of New Braintree, for his bull calf, 7 months old, 5-8th Durham and 3-8th native, nursed only an ordinary cow, not his dam, weighs 610 lbs, and is well proportioned. The third premium to M. Gill, of Princeton, for his bull calf 4| months old, native breed, dam an uncommonly good milker, nursed by an ordinary cow, weighs 511 lbs., is a calf of good promise. A first rate bull calf 3 months and 13 days old, weight 616 lbs., 1-2 Durham, belonging to Oliver Barret, of Bolton, was entered too late for a premium. ABEL WHITNEY Chairman. 7 50 WORCESTER SOCIETY. Milch Cows. The first premium of $10 is awarded to Marshall Merriam, of Princeton, for his 9 year old cow. The second premium of $6 to Henry B. Leach, of Grafton, for his 5 year old cow. The third premium of $4 to William Cushman, of New Brain- tree. The fourth premium of $3 to William Eames, of Wor- cester. The fifth premium of $2 to Charles E. Miles, of Shrewsbury. The committee recommend to the Society's notice the half Durham cow, of Elias Ayres, of Barre. She excited the admiration of the committee in an especial manner. She is a very beautiful animal, and a very productive one. From the 10th to the 20th of June last, she gave 61 lbs. milk per day, and her butter made in that time was 25 lbs. and a fraction ; from the 5th to the 12th September last, she gave 54| lbs. milk per day and llf lbs. butter per week. Mr. Ayres brought her for exhibition merely, judging that her being a native of another State excluded him from the list of competitors. The com- mittee thought she might have been entered for premium, and recommend for Mr. Ayres a gratuity of $2 and his travel fees. The cows presented for inspection were all beautiful and ex- traordinary milkers, but with one or two exceptions, their own- ers neglected to comply with the rules of the Society in furnish- ing such testimony of their qualities as the Society requires. The time of the committee was taken up in discussing the matter under the rules, and they were at a stand whether to refuse to award premiums to any so delinquent, or to break the rules. They have awarded the premiums, thinking that an- other year the careless fault may be cured, when competitors see the necessary result in getting a low premium when they might have had a higher, or getting none when they might have had the first. The committee would animadvert very strongly upon the carelessness which imposes so unnecessary a burden upon the time and patience of the committee. HENRY S. WHEATON. Chairman. WORCESTER SOCIETY. 51 Butter. The committee report the whole number of entries, twelve ; and award to Joseph S. Hastings, Shrewsbury, 1st premium, . . $6 Charles E. Miles, " 2d " . 5 Samuel F. Shattuck, Worcester, 3d " 4 Elijah Demond, Grafton, 4th " 2 The quantity of hutter, exhibited this year, does not bespeak that interest in an important branch of domestic production, which a just pride for the reputation of the county demands. There is scarcely an article of domestic production more gen- erally used, or one which varies more in quality. It is by many considered an indispensable necessary of life, and if good in quality there are few who do not highly value it. The good and bad are produced from milk possessing the same properties. If good butter may be made from milk, and all milk possesses the same properties, then all milk is certainly capable of pro- ducing good butter. Your committee feel that there would be less complaining and more good butter, were the food of the cow always sweet and good, the milk kept from all offensive odors or impure air and at a proper temperature, the cream taken off before the milk changes, churning not delayed until the cream becomes bitter or its qualities impaired, performed without in- terruption, with temperature of the cream at about 60 degrees, a perfect separation of the buttermilk, salted with the purest of salt, (and one of the committee adds, worked with wooden or marble hands,) excluded from the air and kept at a low tempe- rature. These general rules, observed with the neatness indis- pensable in the dairy, would decrease the quantity of poor but- ter, and add to the income of the dairy. Were your committee to suggest that a judicious choice of cows, with change of pastures from week to week, — a constant and full supply of salt, to prevent its medicinal action, — pure water, always accessible, — kind treatment and systematic milk- ing,— straining the milk immediately after churning, — cleanliness of every utensil, — with peculiar care of milk-house and buttery. 52 WORCESTER SOCIETY. all tend to increase the quantity and quality of butter, it might appear that the committee were fearful that the farmers were about neglecting their own interest. GEORGE DENNY, Chairman. Mechanic Tools and Agricultural Implements. The committee regret to report that an unusually small num- ber of articles, which came under their jurisdiction, was pre- sented for exhibition. They regret this the more, because they regard this department as an important one, and believe that it affords facilities for farmers and mechanics to obtain a knowl- edge of the various new and useful tools and implements which science and active invention are constantly supplying, that can- not generally be obtained in any other way. Printed or written descriptions of new contrivances and improvements, are mostly of trifling importance compared with an actual survey of the thing itself. The success attending the mechanics' exhibitions in Boston, New York, and various other places in our own country, which attract such immense throngs in some of the large European cities, is pretty good proof of this, and tends to verify the old adage, that "seeing is believing." Messrs. Ruggles, Nourse & Mason contributed their usual quota towards the exhibition. Twenty-nine varieties of ploughs, a corn-sheller, a vegetable cutter, an improved harrow, and a well made road-scraper were sent in by them. It seems almost incredible that so many kinds of ploughs can be necessary for all soils and situations. But your committee do not hesitate to say, that, in their opinion, the peculiar and distinctive merits of each are visible upon trial and explanation. Many of the im- provements upon the old-fashioned ploughs, which these gentle- men have introduced and adopted, are already so much in vogue, as to be known to all farmers ; while others of later date have be- come known to only a portion of the agricultural interest. It seems to us that the farmer neglects his own real interest in ne- glecting to understand the peculiar utility of most of these im- provements. An improved form of the mould-board, by which the soil is turned more easily and with less exertion to the hand WORCESTER SOCIETY. 53 than formerly, commended itself to the attention of all. The draft rod upon ploughs of recent introduction, also those with meadow fixtures, used in reclaiming meadows, and capable of being removed, and the same plough used for upland ploughing, deserve particular notice. The chilled share and landside man- ufactured by them, are decided improvements over most ploughs now in use. A wheel at the forward end of the cultivator has been recently added by them, and greatly facilitates turning, regulates the depth, and steadies the movement of the imple- ment. The handles of all their ploughs have been recently remodelled and improved. Their subsoil plough, made upon precisely the same principle as one imported by them from Scot- land, in 1840, has been simplified in construction, and reduced in cost, from fifty dollars in Scotland, to fifteen dollars in Mas- sachusetts, of corresponding size. For this they deserve the thanks of every farmer. Every real improvement in any agri- cultural implement, may be said, in one sense, to be an addi- tional pair of hands, or at least, an extra brace of muscles to the farmer, which he gets without paying them extra wages. In this view, too much encouragement cannot be given to those who are seeking to improve and perfect every kind of implement which the husbandman employs. Messrs. R. N. &, M. have for years exercised an indefatigable zeal and perseverance in this behalf, and have been rewarded with great success. Your com- mittee recommend that a gratuity of ten dollars be given them, as a trifling though inadequate proof of the Society ;s apprecia- tion of their indisputable skill and constant exertions to improve upon the past. F. W. GALE, Chairman. Root Crops. The committee report, that there were only two entries for premiums on root crops, made in conformity to the rules of the Society, and both of these were for carrots ; one by Orrin Fair- banks, of Westborough, and the other by D. Waldo Lincoln, of Worcester. The committee visited the several fields to which their attention was called, and also the carrot fields of Messrs. 54 WORCESTER SOCIETY. Hammond and Wheeler. The land of Mr. Hammond was a strong deep soil ; it was ploughed with a common plough ; the crop was quite uneven, several trees being within the field, and the shade had had its influence on the growth of the root. Pre- vious to the harvest being concluded, a portion of the ground was measured, which was selected as having on it the most abundant crop, and yielded at the rate of 883 1-2 measured bushels to the acre. The land of Mr. Lincoln bearing his car- rot crop, had been subsoiled and cultivated as stated in the cer- tificate of the owner ; the 1-4 acre was taken from the best part of the field. Mr. Wheeler's land, on which the carrots were grown, was a light gravel soil, and the crop had evidently been injured by the severe drought of the season, and, as will appear from his statement, the crop was unequal over different parts of the field. He thinks, that in a common season, his crop would have exceeded 1000 bushels per acre. His course is believed to be unusual, to grow carrots on the same ground for three con- secutive years, and his statement was requested, to show the progressive improvement of the land under this mode of culti- vation. The thanks of the public should be accorded him for the information his statement affords ; and it gives evidence that he has received the reward promised to the intelligent husband- man. The field was uncommonly clean from weeds, more so than is usually witnessed in a garden, and this in ground which was, within the recollection of some of the committee, a few years since, filled with the roots of the couch or quitch grass. Two of the members of the committee then proceeded to view the land of George Denny, Esq., whose tenant, Mr. Fairbanks, had entered as a competitor for the premium for carrots. The land on which the carrots were grown, was, before his purchase, and this quite recently, a very wet meadow, yielding a growth of very little value. As food for neat stock, if the herbage was not so coarse as to require splitting as well as cutting, before it could be consumed, it is believed to have been more useful as a means of making manure than as food for cattle. It now prom- ises to give abundant crops of the best of grass. The soil ap- peared to lay up very light ; perhaps it had not become suffi- ciently consolidated to resist a drought. Should this be the WORCESTER SOCIETY. 55 case, small gates can be placed in the ditches, so as occasionally to raise the water and moisten the lands between them. In ad- dition to this, Mr. Denny has the command of water by which he can irrigate this reclaimed land, by which he would secure large crops from it ; but, having other land over which this water may be used to great advantage, he may think it more advisable to stop the water in the ditches if he shall find it necessary. Other improvements have been made by him in fences, cultivation, and the erection of convenient buildings ; but perhaps no one thing would more highly commend itself to the attention of a farmer, than his facility for saving and increasing manure. Having at command an unlimited supply of meadow mud, he most profitably mixes it, from time to time, with the dung from his stock in his capacious barn-cellar. The committee recommend that the premium of eight dollars be paid to D. Waldo Lincoln, for his crop of carrots, it being the greatest quantity entered for competition ; and to Orrin Fair- banks, the sum of five dollars for the next greatest quantity on one quarter of an acre of land. They regret there has been no applicant for either of the other premiums for root crops offered by the Society. Mr. Denny's communication is hereunto appended, as con- taining valuable information to those having such meadows, which they may also improve. JOHN W. LINCOLN, Chairman. Statement of William A. Wheeler. I herewith hand you a statement of the product of carrots upon one acre of ground on my farm, in Worcester, for the three years last past. 56 WORCESTER SOCIETY. One Acre of Land. Dr. 1843. To 61 days labor, at 5s., $50 83 " 6£ " lproxen, 5a., 5 42 " 1 " 2 horses, . 1 50 " Manure, . . .18 00 " Sowing seed, . . 3 00 1844. To 77 days labor, at 5s., $24 17 " I7i " lproxen, 5s., 14 58 " 12 cords manure, . 36 00 " 3£ " compost, . 10 50 1845. To 79 days labor, at 5s. 6d., . . $72 42 To 12 days, 1 pr oxen, 5s. 6d., . . . 11 00 To 2 days, man and team, 3 33 " 13 cords compost from yard, at $2 50, . . 32 50 To 4d cords manure, at $3 50, 15 75 $78 75 125 25 135 00 By 361 bushels car- rots, 25c, $90 25 Or. $90 25 By 710 bushels car- rots, 25c, $177 50 177 50 By 736 bushels car- rots, 25c, $184 00 (206 bush, on J acre.) 184 00 Statement of D. Waldo Lincoln. My crop of carrots, entered for the Society's premium, was raised upon one fourth of an acre of land, by measurement, and the produce was 177£ bushels, of 56 pounds each, or at the rate of 710 bushels to the acre. The land produced a crop of oats in the summer of 1843, and in the fall was laid down, according to what is called the new system of husbandry, but without a top dressing of manure. The seed did not come up well, and all that did, was utterly killed by the following winter, and the experiment was an entire failure. Finding, in the summer of 1844, that the grass was coming to nothing, the land was again ploughed, and sowed with buckwheat. In the spring of 1845, 33 loads of strong slaughter-house manure, and 20 loads of good stable manure, were spread upon 150 rods of land. It was then three times ploughed, twice with a common, and once with a subsoil plough. The seed was sowed the last week in May. The carrots were hoed the middle of June, and again the first week WORCESTER SOCIETY. 57 in July, at which time the rows were hardly visible, and I was advised to plough them in and sow buckwheat. Nothing more was done to them till harvesting, when the quarter of an acre selected as the best on the field yielded 177£ bushels. The car- rots were not thinned out as generally recommended, for the reasons that the process of thinning has been found about as tedious and expensive as weeding, and, also, because small car- rots are more conveniently eaten by cattle, and the increased size, where they are thinned, does not compensate for the di- minished number. The soil is a deep yellow loam, resting probably on a ledge of slate stone, at a depth varying from 10 to 20 feet. Through- out the season, the carrots growing on that portion of the field, manured with stable manure, were better than those manured with the offal from the slaughter-house. The following is the estimated cost of the crop : — Interest upon the value of the land, Seed and cost of sowing, .... Cost of manure, $17 50 — one half to the crop, Expense of drawing the same, Three times ploughing, .... Twice weeding, ...... Harvesting, ....... $28 75 Value of the crop in the field, at $9 per ton, 177£ bushels, $40 25. Leaving a profit of $11 50. It should be understood that I have selected the best part of the field, and that the whole would not have presented so favor- able a result. Worcester, Dec. 2£th, 1845. 1 00 8 75 4 50 1 50 3 00 7 00 Statement of Orrin Fairbanks. The crop of carrots which I have entered for the Society's premium, was grown on a piece of land measuring 68£ rods The only crops taken from the ground, to my knowledge, were 58 WORCESTER SOCIETY. $2 00 taken the last year, and consisted of large stumps and trunks of trees, which must have been planted near a century. The ground is a peat meadow or swamp, was pared and burnt the preceding year, and part of it ploughed. June 13th, the ground was harrowed, and small pieces of wood removed, from it ; and it was sowed with a seed sower. August 2d, the first and only weeding ; plants not thinned out. The whole crop was 181 bushels, at 56 pounds to the bushel. Harrowing and removing small pieces of wood, Seed and sowing, ...... Manure, guano, 220 lbs., $4 95, one half to the crop, Putting on the same, Weeding three days, Harvesting, Topping, Interest on land, Value of Crop. 5 tons 136 lbs. of carrots, at $10 per ton, . 1 12 h 2 48 13 . 3 00 . 6 00 . 4 00 75 $19 48 . $50 68 Leaving profit, after deducting expenses, Westboro\ Nov., 1845. $31 20 Statement of George Denny. The subject of reclaiming swamp or bog meadow should be so well understood at this time, as to make unnecessary, re- marks from any one of the present generation. Dr. Jared El- liot, of Connecticut, an experienced farmer of the last century, gave an excellent account of his mode, which was published in 1747, and said, " the meadow was deemed so poor, none would take it up. I was pitied, as being about to waste a great deal of money, but they comforted themselves, that if I spent it un- profitably, others, that stood in need of it, would get it. They are now of another opinion. Some are deterred from such an undertaking as that of draining their land, by reason of the great charge. They terrify themselves without reason." WORCESTER SOCIETY. 59 Such was the language of one, who, more than a hundred years since, was engaged in improving for profit those waste spots, now to be found neglected on many farms. You having referred to this neglect, and requested some account of the meadow on my farm, I make the attempt, not however without the feeling, that to properly understand the description of any improvement on wet lands, the eye, as well as the ear, should be called into service. About six years since, I commenced re- claiming, and reclaimed and have now in progress about 24 acres. An attempt has been made to do something with the upland and paring plough, also with an instrument like a har- row, substituting for the teeth, plough-cutters, and adding roll- ers, which on meadows, free from stumps, may be found useful. My meadow being liberally supplied with large stumps and trunks of trees under the bog, experience has led me to adopt the paring process with the bog hoe, as the most economical. It may seem superfluous to mention, that, previous to this, a process of thorough draining was gone through with, by open ditches. I have ploughed, pared, and burnt, adding gravel, pared and carted off the turf, pared and burnt, adding, or leav- ing nothing but the ashes, used the harrow-like instrument above referred to, taking off loose turf, and adding compost ; in all cases seeding down to grass, pared and burnt, and taken off crops of rye, oats, corn, potatoes, and carrots. The mud will generally pay for ditching. Paring, burning and stumping have been done, the land being made ready for seed, for $25 per acre, from which should be deducted the value of wood dug up. Mr. Elliot, before referred to, said, " Swamps that are full of wood and brush, and covered with moss, if they are deep soil and can be drained, will make good land for corn and grass." If experience, one hundred years since, would warrant this re- mark, we maybe safe now, in saying that such lands "will make good land" for English grass, and amply remunerate the fanner for any expense incurred in reclaiming them. Mr. Phinney, who is good authority, thinks his reclaimed meadow worth more than $400 per acre for cultivation. The average price of English hay may be stated at $10 per ton. If land thus renovated will produce two tons to the 60 WORCESTER SOCIETY, acre, which is less than experience has shown, — deducting, say one third for the expense of harvesting, there will remain an amount equivalent to the interest of $200 per acre. Swamp meadows may be rendered productive, at an expense not ex- ceeding that for reclaiming many of our uplands ; to accomplish which, — 1st. Drain perfectly, not omitting margin or border ditches. 2d. Pare as deep as the thickness of the sward. 3d. Burn the turf completely, reducing the whole to ashes, which may be done, if sufficiently dry, as spread, or be gathered into heaps, in which case care must be used that the fire does not take such hold of the ground as to injure it. 4th. Spread the ashes, plough shallow, which may be done with a horse, with shoes made for the purpose. 5th. If the time of year permit, commence cultivation with a root crop, after which, lay down to grass. Manure will do no damage. 6th. If from any cause the land cannot be pared, harrow the turf, add compost, and seed to grass ; in which way good crops have been obtained. These hints apply more particularly to wet meadows, where it is necessary to employ mostly manual labor. Weslboro\ Dec. 3, 1845. HAMPSHIRE. HAMPDEN,