tHE TRUSTEES' ACCOUNT ot OTHER EXHIBITIONS, AT TOPSFIELD. OCT. 5, 1820. SALEM: ?!tt!VTKtt BY JOH.T D. CViRJlfO. 1831. TRUSTEES' ACCOUNT, §c. This beinsf the first essay of the Essex Agricultural Society, a splendid exhibition was not looked for. The experiment has shown the necessity of different arrangements, which shall ad- mit of a more convenient and satisfactory inspection of articles presented for premiums — of time to consider the merits of each — to write the reports thereon, by the various committees, and to publish, and deliver to the successful candidates, the premi- ums which shall be awarded. The want of such arrangements has been the chief cause of the delay in publishing the transac- tions of the day. The Trustees subjoin to this account a plan which they hope will effecttf&Uy remedy, in future, the incon- veniences which have attended the first essay. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES. No. I. WORKIJVG OXEJy AJ^D JVEAT LIVE STOCK. The Committee appointed to examine Working Oxen and Neat Live Stocky and to award premiums, have attended to the duty assigned them, and respectfully REPORT, That the number of large and superior working oxen far ex- ceeded their expectations, demonstrating their utility and supe- riority in the labours of the husbandman, and the importance of the requisites prescribed by the society, to entitle them to pre- miums; inasmuch as among the many excellent cattle exhibited, and which rendered it in some cases a matter of very careful discrimination to whom the prize should be awarded, there w:;? 4 an obvious deficiency in training them to their highest useful- ness, which might otherwise have secured the premium. Under these impressions, They have awarded the first premium, for the best trained working oxen, not less than five years old. To Mr. Samuel Wheeler, of Newburyport, for a yoke of oxen owned and driven by himself — fifteen dollars. To Mr. Samuel Hood, of Topsfield, the second premium for his yoke of oxen, five years old, of a deep red colour — ten dol- lars. The premium for the best bull, not less than one year old, to Asa Andrews, Esq. of Ipswich, for his dark brindle bull — fifteen dollars. The second to Jacob Wilkins, of Marblehead, for his red bull, — ten dollars. The third to Gorham Parsons, Esq. for a dark red bull, fron^ his farm in By fie Id — five dollars. It was a subject of regret to the committee, on examining the milch cows, that so few were entered for premiums; as they are always a great object to the farmer, both for the dairy and his future stock; and it being so obvious that a first rate cow requires no more expense for her support than an inferior one — requiring of the farmer only some care in selecting his stock for breeding; for he seldom if ever gives or obtains, in exchange, between a superior and a common cow, more than the difierence of profit for a single year; always leaving him who takes the common one impoverished by the exchange. It is not believed that the sample exhibited bears any proportion to this valuable animal through the county, cultivated as it is by capable and en- terprising farmers. The cause of the deficiency, at this exhi- bition, must be attributed to. the undue expectations raised on this subject— and it cannot be doubted will be remedied at tiae next anniversary. — They remarked however with satisfaction, that those intended for premium were very superior — there were also several others exhibited, but not intended for premi- um, that were very fine, particularly a cow and her progeny belonging to Asa Andrews, Esq. of Ipswich, being the same stock of the bull that obtained the first premium, and a cow of •ihe famous Eakwell breed, belonging to the Hon. Timotby Pickering — and several others. They adjudged the premium for the best milch cow to Mr, Jacob B. Winchester, of Salem— tifteen dollars ; And for the second best to Samuel Farrar, Esq. of Andover, — ten dollars. For the best bull calf to Mr. Jonathan Berry, of Middleton, — five dollars. For the second best to Samuel Farrar, Esq. of Andover,— three dollars. For the best heifer calf, to Mr. Simon Smith, of Saugus— five dollars. For the second, to Hon. Timothy Pickering— three dollars, for his calf raised from native stock. It was particularly gratifying to see the large number of bull and heifer calves, entered for premiums, evincing as it does the interest already excited by this exhibition, and the spirit of im- provement which is so happily extending throughout the county. Should this spirit continue, it is not difficult to anticipate the pe- riod not far distant, when the neat cattle of the county of Ea^est, will vie with any part of this country for beauty and worth. Which is submitted by BENJAMIN T. REED, Per order of Committee. No. II. FAT OXE.V d^rn SWIXE. The Committee appointed to award premiums on Fat Oxcvi, and Swine^ have attended that duty, and REPORT, That no fat oxen were offered. The Committee award — To Mr. George Adams, of Newbury, for the best boar — eight dollars. 'f Mr. Samuel Hood, of Topsfield, for the second best boar, -r— five dollars. To Mr. Elias Putnam, of Danvers, lor the best breeding sow, . — eight dollars. To Mr. Benjamin Savory, of Newburj', for the second best, — five dollar?. To Mr. Elia? Putnam, of Danvers, for the best litter of wean- ed pig's — six dollars. To Mr. William W. Little, for the second best — four dollars. The Committee add, that Mr. Amos Shelden, of Beverly, ex- hibited a very fine boar, the breed of which, in their opinion, deserves encouragement ; and that Col. Jesse Putnam, of Dan- vers, exhibited four pigs, three of them very fine. PAUL KENT, JOS. WINN, f ^ ... , STEPHEN ABBOT, r^^'*"' J EKE. COLMAN, No. lU. JJ>rDMJ>r CORJ^ ^J^D FOTJiTOES, The Committee to examine claims, and award premiums, for Indian Corn and Potatoes, have attended to the duty assigned them, and REPORT, That Tristram Little, of Newbury, is entitled to the first pre- mium on Indian corn, having raised 103^ bushels on one acre — fifteen dollars. That James and Stephen Hathaway, of Marblehead, are en- titled to the second premium on Indian corn, having raised one hundred and ninety bushels and seventeen quarts on two acres, eight rods and twenty two links — ten dollars. That John Dwinell, of Salem, is entitled to the first premium on potatoes, having raised three hundred and ninety eight and a half bushels on one acre — fifteen dollars. That Col. Jesse Putnam, of Danvers, is entitled to the second premium on potatoes, having raised three hundred and ninety seven bushels on one acre — ten dollars. JACOB B. WINCHESTER,) for himself and \ Committee. TEMPLE CUTLER, \ EXPEJilMEJrrS WITH IJ^DMJ^ CORM Mr. Tristram Little (to whom the first premium was granted) slates his comparative experiments of planting in hills and ia double continued rows, in the following manner. He selected two acres of about the same quality, the soil a dark clay mould, which in 1819 received four cords of manure to the acre, were planted with potatoes, and yielded, per acre, about two hundred and eighty bushels. In May, 1820, he ploughed the whole about nine inches deep, and about the middle of that month began to plant his com. On one acre he opened doable furrows two feet apart, leaving a space of five feet between the double furrows. In these fur- rows he strewed ten cords of manure, and with a back furrow to each, covered the same. He (hen dropped his corn, the grains eight inches apart ; and then, by turning another furrow, covered the corn ; which was thus left in double rows two feet apart. The other acre he planted in hills, equally distant each way, making twenty-six hundred hills in all ; which gave 16| square feet to each hill — that is, the hills were a fraction more than four feet apart. To this acre he applied six cords of manure, of the same quality with that used on the other acre. About the 2 1st of October he finished harvesting his crop. The produce in favour of the hills was as 20 to 19 in the double rows. He remarks, that when corn is thus planted in continued rows, these should run north and south, [that the sun may shine equally on both sides.] Flis run east and west ; and he think? the north row was not so good as the south, by one third part. The acre planted in hills received sixteen days labour, inclu- ding the team : the acre in double rows, two days more. The Messrs. Hathaways, to whom the second premium wa» awarded, state, that their field was, in 1817, a common rough pas- ture — was broken up in lfil8, planted with Indian corn, with z common quantity of manure — and yielded a large crop. Ic 1819, about the usual quantity of manure from privies tva« ploughed in, and corn planted. It yielded 80 bushels to the acre. Ia 1890, twenty «art bgcJjei f«ll of the same kind of ma- ft tlure as in 1819 (that is, night soil from privies) were ploughed in, and corn was planted on the 12th of May, in hills three feet apart, five grains to a hill, carefully distanced. It was hoed twice, but would not admit of a third hoeing, from the crowded state of the field : the first hoeing on the 3d of June, the second about the 23d. It was harvested the 29th of September, and yielded one hundred and ninety-nine bushels and a half of com. The quantity of land two acres, eight rods and twenty-two links, or nearly two acres and nine rods ; giving nioety-seven bushels of corn to the acre. The preceding two premiums for Indian corn were all that the trustees had proposed to offer. But they think it expedi- ent to notice the claim of Mr. Samuel Day, of Ipswich. His intention appears to have been to plant an acre ; but when measured, the piece fell short by seven rods. His product, however, was ninety-one bushels — or at the rate of 03 bushels to an acre. He states that this piece of land, of a kindly soil, was broken up in May, 1819 — furrowed both ways, at the dis- tance of four feet seven inches — had ten loads of barn manure put in the hills, (the crossings of the furrows) and five grains of corn to each dropped on the manure, and covered — that the crop was ploughed and hoed three times, and produced forty bushels. — That in 1020 the same piece of land was thus managed: On the 1st of May the hills were split — the ground harrowed, and then ploughed, finishing this operation, on the 2d, in the forenoon ; and on the san>e day he furrowed it deep one -cay anly, the furrows three feet seven inches apart. On the 3d, fifteen loads of barn manure were strewed along the furrows. On the 4th, the corn was planted, being dropped on the ma- nure, three grains in a place, at the distance of 18 or 20 inches; the quantity of seed used, one peck. On the 2d of June, two hands ploughed two furrows between the rows, and hoed it. On the 20th, two hands ploughed one furrow between the rows, and hoed it ; and July 6th, two hands, in the afternoon, gave it a dressing with their hoes. In considering this case, the Trustees are of opinion that Mr.. Day's experiment merits special notice ; and they award to him a premium of eight dollars. ^ kXPERIMEJ^TS OJSr POTATOES. Salem^ Novemhtr 16, 1820. ■ENTLEMEir, I received your favour of the 1st instant, and shall now en- deavour to comply with your request respecting the crop of potatoes on an acre of Messrs. Wait and Peirce's laml, in Bridge street. 1st. As io " the quality and state of the land in 1819." It was grass land, and was broken up early in December. — Soil black. 2d. " The produce and general state of cultivation, and the quantity and kinds of manure applied to it in that year." The produce had always been English grass, since I was first em- ployed upon it, which was nearly thirteen years ago ; and it was never broken up during that time, till last autumn. There was always a good crop. No manure was put on it in 1819. 3d. " The quantity and kinds of manure applied to it in 1820." Nine cart loads, for one yoke of oxen, of barn manure. 4th. "The quantity of seed used, and of potatoes the sort," Twenty bushels of common white potatoes. 5th. " The times and manner of sowing and planting, weed- ing, tilling and harvesting the crop, and the quantity of labour employed in its production." Four days labour for myself with one yoke of oxen were employed in ploughing twice, harrow- ing twice, and furrowing. It wae planted early in June, in hills three feet (large) apart, a shovel full of dung (from the above nine loads) was put into each hole. Three days labour em- ployed in planting. It was weeded the latter part of June ; la- bour three days. It was ploughed between the hills and half- hilled about the middle of July; labour one and a half days. Crop harvested about the 1st of October in the usual way; la- bour eight days. The xschole quantity of labour employed in the production of the crop, (besides that of the oxen) was nine- teen and a half days. 6th. " The amount of the crop, to be ascertained by meas' uring or weighing." Three hundred and oirjety-eijht and a balF bushels of potatoes. S 10 In addition to my own declaration of the fore^oin{> particu- lars, I enclose to you two certificates showing the measure «f the land and of the crop. With great respect, I am Your most obedient servant, JOHN DWINELL. To the gentlemen composing the committee on corn and potatoes. I hereby certify that on the fourth day of October, at the re- quest of Mr. John Dwinell, 1 measured a lot of land by Bridge street, in Salem, owned by Messrs. Wait & Peirce, having thereon potatoes, and staked out one acre, being part of the same lot. JONATHAN P. SAUNDERS, Siuorn Surveyor. Salem, October, 1820. We hereby certify that the quantity of potatoes raised this year on the acre of Messrs. Wait & Peirce's land, in Bridge street, which was measured and staked out by Mr. Jonathan P. Saunders, was three hundred and ninety-eight and a half bush- els. MOSES PETINGIEL, HUGH BOTES. Statement of the cultivation and produce of an acre of land planted with Potatoes in the year 1820, by Jesse Putnam. The land is situated^n the eastern side of IngersolFs hill, se called, in Danvers ; the soil is strong ; it is very full of small and middling sized stones, so as to much impede the ploughing;, and a considerable number of stones are so large that it will be necessary to blow them before they can be removed. The land is moist on the part planted with potatoes. There is on it a young orchard of apple trees, of different ages, from 12 to 20 years; and there are other apple trees around the lot, which shaded it in many places. The principal object in ploughing was to benefit the trees. il it was broken up in 1819; it was then exceedingly rough, and jbad been ploughed but once for more than thirty years. In 1819 it was planted with corn and potatoes, principally with potatoes. There were about four cords of manure put upon it. It was hoed the usual number of times, but on account •f being very rough, it was but imperfectly subdued. It yield- «d about one hundred and forty bushels of potatoes, and about twenty bushels of com. in 1820 the hills were split early in the spring, two furrows in a row ; afterwards it was ploughed once over. The time occupied in plongliing was one day with three cattle. It was then harrowed with a common iron tooth harrow. It was furrowed one way, the rows four feet apart ; the manure was placed in hills two feet apart, and the potatoes were drop- ped on the manure, one potato in a hill. Some of the potatoes were cut into several pieces ; but those that were not cut yielded the best. There were seven and a half cords of ma- nure put upon the land, six cords of them made in the cellar under the barn ; a large proportion of it was made of coarse Bieadow hay and straw, that were thrown under the cattle for them to lie on. One cord and a half of the manure was taken from a slaugh- ter house yard. The potatoes planted on that did not yield so much by nearly one half. The largest proportion of the potatoes planted on this lot were of the red kind, the remainder the common white potato, thirty-seven bushels were planted about the 18th of May. The potatoes were hoed three times ; twice with ploughing and once without ; and the weeds almost entirely destroyed. About six days labour were spent in hoeing, together with the time taken up in hoeing round the apple trees. The crop was gathered about the middle of October ; the labour of gathering I estimate at nearly three cents per bushel. The number of days work I cannot accurately ascertain, on account of their having been dug at different times, and a considerable propor- tion by small boys. As to the quality of the potatoes, I know #0 difference between the value of the red and white: I hav# 12 found in the market (he price to be the same. For feeding cattle and hogs the red is the most valuable. The whole quantity produced on the lot as abore described tvas three hundred and ninety-seven bushels. JESSE PUTNAM. JVovember 22, 1820. I certify that I was present and saw measured all the pota- toes, raised on the lot of land above described by Col. Jesse Putnam, and that there were three hundred and ninety-seven bushels. DANIEL PRESTON. Danvers, November 22, 1820. I hereby certify that I surveyed the field of lapd before men- tioned, as planted with potatoes by Col. Jesse Putnam, on the 19th day of October, and found it to contain one acre and four poles. Also, that there is now growing on this field about fifty young apple trees ; and that, in my opinion, the injury arising to the crop, from the shade of these trees, was more than suf- ficient to balance the extra number of poles above one acre. JNO. W. PROCTOR. No. IV. OJV* MAA^URES. The committee appointed to examine and report on the ap-: plications for the premium offered " For a statement of the best mode and means, in the power of farmers generally, and drawn from the claimant's own practice, of increasing the quan- tity and improving the quality of manures ; of their effect* when applied to the land, and of the manner of applying them," have considered the two statements which have been presented, one by Benj. T. Reed, Esq. the other by Asa Andrewsi, Esq. ^nd submit to the Trustees the following 13 REPORT. The attention of Mr. Reed in collecting materials for hh compost manure, the preparation of his low ground, by drain- ing, for its reception, and the largeness of his products, being aboat four tons of hay to the acre, including the second crop, prove his management to have been judicious. But the com- mittee observe nothing in the process which was not already known, though too little practised. Some important materials, also, kelp, rockweed and eel grass left by the tide, are within the reach of only a very few farmers, living on the sea-coast. Nevertheless, as the example of such care, diligence and suc- cess, may tend to excite others to similar exertions, the commit- tee submit to the Trustees the expediency of publishing Mr. Reed's letter, together with their thanks for the communi- cation. The like observations the committee think applicable to Mr. Andrews' statement: but his communication being of great length, an abstract of it is herewith presented to the con8ide^^^♦ tion of the trustees. T. PICKERING, ) DAVID GRAY, } Committee. DANIEL PUTNAM,) January 4, 1821. Marblehead, October 4, 1820. «EAR SIR, For about eighteen or twenty years past I have made a prac- tice of making manure from every article of rubbish and filth that was in my way about my house, wharf, k,c. About twenty-two years since, a piece of land came into my possession, containing about two acres of tillage and five acres of low, moist, flat land, with two water courses passing through it, which met and passed off under a town bridge. The passage under the bridge was narrow and small, which often caused from two to four or five acres of my land to be flowed with water for several days together, and a part of it the most of the year, so that the grass was very poor, some years hardly worth u «BOwing and making, and was often injured in curing;, by its faer ing- so wet, and for one or two years wa3 overflowed when partly dry. I kept the land in this situation two or three years, aod found the income of the low part of it small and uncertain. I then commenced ditching it, and found it a clay and sand bottom, witlj from ten to tifteen inches of soil. I first made the ditch through my neighbour's land and the passage under the town bridge as much wider and deeper as circumstances would allow, which then let off the water so as to prevent my land being overflowed either in summer or winter. I then began to cart the fine dirt and earth from the ditch on to the centre of the land, to make it the highest ; and all the sods and coarse parts that would not spread and harrow fine, I carried to my manure heap. At this time I selected a spot near this land, and also near my barn, &c. for making compost manure. It was on the south and east side, near the bottom of a hill. I ploughed and dug off the soil &c. and made a basin about twenty feet wide and eighty feet long, and about a foot or eighteen inches deep, as the hard bottom and rocks would allow. I then commenced carting all sods, green weeds, &c. from the ditches, all my barn manqre, dirt, old lime, &.c. that ivas about my house and wharf, and also, whatever could be scraped together, with kelp, rockweed and eel grass, &c. that was left by the tide, as time and opportunity admitted, which was all put into my heap and occasionally shov- eled together, and generally at the end of the year was shovel- ed all over and mixed once or twice and sometimes oftener, and thrown into a ridge. In this manner I have made in the course of a year, from fifty to one hundred loads of good manure, and some years more. I have generally carted it on as late in the spring as the frost would allow, to get it on before the ground was too soft, but sometimes I have put it on in July, after mowing, when the grass had got considerably started, and I think I have found the most benefit from my manure when put on at this lime. For the first ten years I made a practice of sowing grass seed Ijretty freely on the manure after it was spread ; such as herd's 15 grass, red and white clover, and I have thought a great part of the seed took root and increased the crop. About four or five years after this 1 weighed and sold the hay for one year, which amounted to about four tons to an acre. The hay has boea weighed about two or three different seasons since, with an in- terval of two or three years, and I think it has averaged over four tons per acre including the second crop. For the last fifteen years I have been inaproving this tract and some other mowing and tillage land, in all about ten acres, about five of which is high, and has been ploughed and cultiva- ted occasionally and manured from the above mentioned heap. In the spring of 1819, I built a shed adjoining my barn over my dung heap twenty feet wide and forty feet long, (as I could not have a cellar conveniently) and closed it with a fence, to which I have since chiefly transferred my materials for ma- nure. . This shed carries off much of the snow and water from the »oof of the barn, and protects the heap from the sun, wind and rain, and leaves it much stronger and better ; and I think a cheap shed might be so constructed over every man's barn win- dows, where they throw out the manure, to keep the droppings of the eaves, sun, wind, &c. from injuring it, and may be so constructed as to be more convenient and less labour in general than a cellar, and a few hogs will help the manure as well a« collect from the green weeds, &c. a part of their food. With respect and esteem. Your very humble servant, BENJAMIN T. REEL\ Hon. Timothy Pickebing, Bresident of Essex Agricultural Society. Abitract of the Communication of Asa Aidreias, Esq. on Manures. Mr. Andrews remarks, that the barn yard should be proportion- ed to the farmer's stock, and dishing in its form. He considers ©ne year to be necessary in going; through the process r«r wiak- 16 iog manure. When in autnmn the yard is emptied of manare, he would fill (bed) it with the vegetable matter or &ub«tance of salt marsh, or fresh meadows, or the earth from low places (such as are found on many farms,) or head-lands, and scrap- ings of ditches; and over this bed lay straw, ordinary hay, bot- tom stalks of corn, thatch and weeds — any or ail of them, as they can be obtained. And from the time the stock are put to hay, until they are turned out to pasture in the spring, they should not go beyond the limits of the bam yard ; within which they should be supplied with water. [Then their dung and urine will not be wasted in the roads, or uselessly scattered over the fields, while they are picking up a pittance of miserable, sapless fog, or dead grass.] The cattle are to be kept in the bam yard at night, during the summer, or season of pasturing. When in autumn, manure is carted to the fields, and dropped io heaps, to lie until the ensuing spring, those heaps should be eovered with earth, to prevent loss by washing rains and evapo- ration. In applying bis manure, in the spring, Mr. Andrews mixes the old with the new, for grass-land broken up for planting : but if the land is already in a state of tillage, he spreads the new manure (winter dung) and immediately ploughs it io ; and puts the old manure in the hills. Having on his farm a quantity of wet meadow land, producing only coarse grass, he ditched and drained it ; and then, without' ploughing, spread his compost manure upon it, and sowed herd's grass seed. Under this management, he was able to cut from (wo to three tons of good hay to the acre. He gives thif land a top-dressing of compost manure every other year. The soil of this meadow is rich earth lying on a clay bottom. Mr. Reed''5 productive meadow has a like soil, ten to fifteen inche« deep, lying on a close bottom of clay mingled with sand. When ilr. Andrews ploughs his grass up-land, he puts od eighteen or twenty loads of manure to an acre : and harvest* from each acre about sixty bushels of corn, and vegetables io proportion. From twenty head of cattle, two horses, and his swine, with the materials collected and used in the process, as above de- 17 Jteribed, he makes anDually from 220 to 250 loads of manure, «ach load coutaiaiog about forty-five bushels. THE DMRY. To the Trustees of the Estex Agricultural Soeiety. •ENTLEMEN, The committee appointed to consider the claims for the pre- miums on Butter, REPORT, That Mr. Joshua Lorett made upon his farm, in Beverly, from the milk of five cows, four hundred and four pounds of good butter, in the year A. D. 1820, between the 20th day of May and the last day of October. The cows were kept in a common pasture from the 20th of May until the 1st of October, and afterwards in fall feed, and were fed with the thinnings of half an acre of carrots, and the green topstalks of an acre of corn. The quantity of butter produced from these cows, between the 1st day of May and the last day of N"ovember, in the same year, was five hundred and two pounds ; and there was made within that time, from the milk of the same cows, seven hun- dred and fifty pounds of cheese. This is the only claim which has been made for a premium on butter. Your committee are of opinion that Mr. Lovett is fairly entitled to the first premium on the article, inasmuch as the object of this society is to encourage judicious eflforts in ag"- ticultural improvements, THOMAS STEPHENS, Chairman . Salem, January 10, 1821. 18 OJV THE PLOUGHING MATCH. Report of the Committee on the Ploughing Match at Topsfield, October 5, 182U. Salem^ January 6, 1821. SIR, The committee a^eed to award the first premium to the Hon. Timothy Pickering^, on account of the superior perform- ance and superior utility of his plough.* They think also that great credit is due to Gorham Parsons, Esq. for the performance by his plough from his Byfield Farm, and award to him the second premium. In behalf of the Committee, PAUL UPTON. To Frederick Howes, Esq. Secretary 7 of the Essex Agricultural Society. 5 * This plough was made by Henry BurdeD, at Utica, io the State of New- York. 19 OFFERED BT THB ESSEX AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY, FOR 182L The Trustees of the Essex Agricultural Sooietj, to encourage improre- meots in the hutbandry of the couotj, offer the following PREMIUMS. AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENTS. I. J^AJyJlGEMEJVT OF ^ FARM. For the best management of a farm, in its tillage, mowing and pasturage : the quantity of land appropriated to each — the manner of making, increasing, preserving and applying manure — the respective crops and products — and the management of the live stock — to be detailed : . . Thirty Dollars. For the second best, « . Twenty Dollars. II. GREEJy CROPS FOR COWS. For the best experiment with any kinds of green crops, (turnips and cabbages excepted, which hurt the flavour of milk) by which the same cows, not fewer than four, shall be kept in milk, with the least diminution of the quantity yielded while feeding in their common pastures at midsummer, until the first of October ; the cows to be full fed with such green crops, in addition to their common pasturage : Thirty Dollars. For the second best, . . . Twenty Dollars. C^ To render this experiment satisfactory, the milk yielded at midsummer (June 21st) must be weighed ; and afterwards ODce in eTery tvro weeks, until the first of October, and regu- larly set down. Each green crop used, and its effect on the quantity of milk, (and on its quality too, if there be any manilest difTerence) is to be specified. ni. IJyDMJy CORJ^ AJSTD OTHER CROPS. For the greatest crop of Indian corn on one acre— For the greatest crop of potatoes on one acre — , For the greatest crop of carrots on half an acre — For the greatest crop of mangel wurtzel on half an acre — For the greatest crop of ruta baga on half an acre — which shall severally be raised with the least expense of labour and manure — for each, . . . Fifteen Dollars. For the second greatest crop of each, and for each, Ten Dollars. For the most valuable crop, according to the labour and ma- nure bestowed upon it, which shall be raised on one acre, which crop shall consist of Indian corn, and potatoes, and bush beans, or any two of them, to make a mixed crop, in alternate rows or hills, and which shall be of value at least equal to the best crop of Indian corn, for which the first premium shall be awarded, ..... Fifteen Dollars. For the second most valuable mixed crop, and which shall be of value at least equal to the second best crop of Indian corn, foe which the second premium shall be awarded, Ten Dollars. For the best crop of barley on one acre, Ten Dollars. For the second best, . . . Eight Dollars. IV. SUM^C. To the person who shall prove most satisfactorily, from ex-. periment, on not less than half an acre, that either species of sumac, (rhus) an article extensively used by the manufacturers of morocco leather, can be profitably cultivated in this county, the proof to be given in the autumn of 1823, Thirty Dollars 21 V. THE DAmr. For the greatest quantity of gfood butter, in proportion to the number of cows producing it, (not fewer than four) made on any farm, from the 20th of May to the 6th day of October, Fifteen Dollars. For the second greatest quantity, Ten Dollars. VI. CIDER. For the best cider, the pure juice of the apple, which shall he made in the present year, not less than four barrels, a sam- ple of it not less than ten gallons, to be produced at the Cattle Show in 1822, Ten Dollars. For the second best, .... Five Dollars. The cider to be kept in casks. LIVE STOCK. For the best pair of working oxen, not less than five years 6ld, which shall be best trained for labour, be quickest in step, and in foil working plight, . . . Fifteen Dollars. For the second best, . . . Ten Dollars. For the best pair of fat oxen, which ihall be fattened at (he least expense, .... Twenty Dollars. For the second best, . . Ten Dollars. For the best bull, not less than one year old, raised in or brought into the county, and there kept four months prior to the tirst of October, 1820, on satisfactory assurance that he shaU he kept for use in the county twelve months after that day, Fifteen Dollars. For the second best, .... Ten Dollars. For the third best. For the best milch cow, For the second best, For the third best, Five Dollars. Fifteen Dollars. Ten Dollars. Pive Dollars, 22 For the best boar, not exceeding two years, and not less than five months old, Eight Dollars. For (he second best, . . . Five Dollars. For the best breeding sow, . . Eight Dollars. For the second best, . . . Five Dollars. For the best litter of weaned pigs, not fewer than four, nor less than two months old, . . . Six Dollars. For the second best, . . . Four Dollars. FOREST TREES. For the best plantation of white oak trees, not less than one acre, nor fewer than one thousand trees per acre, to be raised from the acorn, and which trees shall be in the best thriving State on the first of September, 1823, Thirty Dollars. For the second best, . . . 1'wenty Dollars. For the third brst, .... Fifteen Dollars. For the best plantations of locust trees, and of larch trees, each of not less than one acre, nor fewer than one thousand- trees per acre, to be raised from the seeds, and which trees shall be in the best thriving state on the first of September, 1823, for each and either, . . , Twenty Dollars. For the second best, . . . Fifteen Dollars. For the third best, . . . Ten Dollars. For the best plantations of white ash trees and of hickory trees (the latter g'onfrally called, in Massachusetts, rvalnut) each of not less than h^lf an acre, nor fewer than five hundred trees per half acre, to be raised from the nuts and seeds, and ■which shall be in the best thriving state on the first of Sej)tem- ber, 1323, — for each and either, . . Fifteen Dollars. For the second best, .... Ten Dollars. For the third best, .... Eight Dollars. The larch tree is a native of Massachusetts and Maine, and doubtless of New-Hampshire and Vermont. It is generally known by the name of hackmatack — perhaps the Indian name. It is growing in various parts of this county, commonly in low and moist grounds. The European larch is plainly different in form, and more beautiful; its leaves are of a deeper green, and 23 its cones three or four times as large. The wood of both is extremely durable. The value of our larch from Maiue is already well known to some of our ship-builders. To entitle a claimant to any premium nnder the head of Agricultural Experiments, the following particulars must be described in writing, with a declaration by the claimant of their truth: viz. 1. The quality and state of the land in 1820. 2. The product and general state of cultivation, and the •uantity and kinds of manure applied to it in that year^ 3. The quantity and kinds of manure which shall be applied to it in 1821. 4. The quantity of seed used, and of potatoes the sort. 5. The times and manner of sowing and planting, weeding, tilling and harvesting the crop, and the quantity of labour em- ployed in its production. 6. The amount of the crop, to be ascertained by measuring OF weighing. The object of this institution being to promote valuable im- provements in husbandry, it will be the duty of the Trustees to withhold premiums in cases falling short of that object. At the same time they will be disposed to encourage every judicious effort to make improvements, although not crowned with suc- cess ; as such efforts may open the way to those which shall be really valuable. EXPLANATORY OBSERVATIONS. The Trustees have thought it expedient to subjoin to the list of premiums the following explanatory observations. Id considering how best to apply the funds of the society, they were naturally led to inquire, in what objects of husbandry are improvements most wanted, to enlarge our products, either by superior model of management and culture, or by the intro- 24 Auction of belter domestic animals, and of plants either not at all or not e:eueraUy cultivated ? Id old farms, sticb as all are in Essex, whose native fertilitj has long since been exhausted. Manure must constitute the ci- aential means of restoring and increasing their productive pow- ers. Consequently, to increase the quantity and better the quality of all kinds of maniire, within the reach of our farmers, merits the first attention, as the basis of all improvements. There are some substances not comprehended in the term ma- nurc, in the common sense of that word, which nevertheless, when mixed with the soil, cause it to yield greater crops ; such are clay, lime and other calcarious matters, and plaister of Paris. But however abundant may be manures, their most effectual operation depends on the manner of using them, and on the condition and management of the land to which thej are ap- plied. The design of our institution being universal improvements in the husbandry of the county, the Trustees are of opinion that the excitement of premiums should be addressed, as far as prac- ticable, to the industrious and enterprising occupants of small a* well as of large farms ; and be extended, in the progress of im- provement, to every article demanding the increased attentioa of the husbandman. Our common permanent pastures do not yield a sufficient bite of grass for cattle earlier than the 2(Hh of May; and by the middle of August — sooner, if the season be dry — they fail to such a degree, that cows rapidly fall off in their milk, unless the deficiency be supplied by other kinds of green food. What these are, within the power of every industrious farmer to pro- vide, it is hoped will be satisfactorily shown, by the claimants for the premiums offered on this point. The products of butter will be decisive of two important points — the goodness of the couss — and the sufficiency of their food ; and will encourage t'armers to improve their breeds ol milch cows, by purchase or by raising them, and to provide ample supplies of proper food. 25 3Sy an act of the legislature, passed on the 20lh of Fohniary. 1818, "for the encouragement of agriculture and manufac- tures,'' it is made the " duty of every incorporated agricultu- ral society, to offer, annually, such premiums and encourage- ment, for the raising and preserving oaks and other forest trees, in such manner, ahd on such terms, as to their discretion shall seem best adapted to increase and perpetuate an adequate sup- ply of ship fimbcr, within this Commonwealth." In compliance wifli this requisition, the premiums for raising oaks and other forest trees are offered. Small plantations only are proposed, because the subject, in America, is perfectly new ; although in Europe the practice of planting (the term appropriated in England to the raising of forest trees) has long been familiar. There the seeds are sown in beds, (like seeds in gardens) thonce removed to nurserie.=, and from the nurse- ries to the grounds where they are to rise into trees. The emolument to be derived from planting, for the production of iimbcr^ is at such a distance, probably beyond the life of the planter, as to deter most men from making the attempt : for few, very few, sre actuated by the generous principle, that " It will do somebody good." Yet, as men generally wish to acquire tind leave property for their offspring, it may be ques- tioned whether in any district, so bare of timber as Essok, farmers could better consult the permanent interests of their rhildrcn, than hy planting. Grounds so rough and rocky as to he unfit for tillage can in no way be so profitably improved. Nor, indeed, is some profit from planting very remote. That forest trees may rise straight, and to heights proper for timber, they must be set, at first, many times as thick as will finally fit ■hem for timber. Hence their thinnings will, in a few years, furnish useful wood ; white oaks, hickories, ash, and perhaps the larch, for hoops, ajid all of them, at larger growths, for fuel. These hints are thrown out to excite reflection on this very important subject; and to induce at least the ablest farmers to commence the work of planting. The Trustees hope there will be many competitors for the offered premiums. Any who shall propose to make plantations, will, oa their application, Ic 4 26 icrnished by the Trustees with the best information they caft obtain on the subject; unless a publication (nliicb they coo- template) should supersede the necessity of individual appli- cations. In proposing premiums for products obtained with the least expense of labour and manure, the Trustees have in view an improved culture of our farms, by the exertion of superior skill and industry, and better tillage to supply the place of more ample manuring. To effect this better tillage, the plants cul- tivated must be set at distances which shall admit the free use of the plough. The fattening of oxen at the least expense will of course in- clude the shortest time : for it is well known that all domestic animals lay on fat in proportion to the quantity and quality of the food they are disposed, or can be induced, to eat, rchen fed to the full. Hence so to feed them is the truest economy, when fatting them is the object. A premium is offered for mixed crops of com, potatoes and beans, on the supposition that the crop of corn may not thereby be greatly diminished in quantity, or not in proportion to the value of the potatoes and beans, or of one of them. The corn plants standing far apart will not injuriously shade the potatoes and beans; while the vines of these will cover the intervals of the corn from the scorching rays of the sun. And a covering crop is deemed less hurtful than any other — some have even been thought to be beneficial. Dr. Eliot, of Connecticut, in his fifth Essay on Field Husbandry, published so long ago as the year 1754, thus writes — " Peas are found to make land mellow, to enrich and so well to prepare it for wheat, that I have many times known farmers to invite others who had peas to sow their land, without paying any rent, merely for the advan- tage it would be to their crop of wheat." The Doctor assigns the following reason. " Peas make a shade ; where the land is shaded, the air will be condensed ; and, consequently, make room for the rushing in of more air, so that in this shade there will be a greater lodgement of.nitrous salts, [or whatever in the air, which is a compound substance, tends to fertilize the earth} and consequently the land will be made rich." "The air"'- 27 (says another writer) is the chief ioslrument which nature makc^ use of to enrich the earth." A premium is offered for the best cider, in the hope that many farmers may be induced to make that a pleasant liquor which is commonly harsh and sour. Some few make cider which is smooth and comparatively sweet to the taste. With equal care, all may do the same. Such cider would not only be more pleasant, but doubtless more wholesome, and it would lessen the con- sumption, and ought eventually to supersede the use, of spiritu- ous liquors. Cider is generally made without separating the ripe from the unripe, apd the rotten apples from the sound ones ; and no measure is used to check its violent fermentation. Hence the meagre and austere cider almost universal in New-England. Were grapes, now producing the finest wines, managed as we do our apples, their juice would yield liquors as little esteemed as •ur cider. The following intimations for making good cider may be useful. 1. Let the apples hang on the trees until fully ripe. Such as are then mellow should be at once committed to the mill and press. Such as are hard should be laid in heaps not more than ten or twelve inches thick,* until they become mellow. For apples never attain their highest flavour until mellow. 2. Separate the rotten from the sound apples ; for the latteT only can produce good cider. Suppose all the rotten apples were to be selected, ground and pressed by themselves, the juice would be alike unwholesome and disgusting, and be thrown away. Naw, in proportion as rotten apples are ground up with the sound ones, will the cider be injured. 3. Not a drop of water should be put to the cider, not even to wet the straw used in making up the cheese. For it will re- quire the whole strength of the pure juice to preserve it ia easks through our hot summers, in the coolest cellars. The straw should be perfectly clean and sweet. * Many of (he mo5t fTperiencerl cider makers in New-England hous9 their apples before grinding by laying them on tiie floor of the cider house, or on the barn floor, taking care to move them often, to prevent thei? keating. '28 4. Of Ibe great variety of apples io most orchards, those should be put together in the same heaps which appear alike mellow, or likely to become mellow, at the same time. 6. Every farmer knows, that if his casks are musty, or have a sour smell, they will impart an ill flavour to the cider put into them. Such casks should be cleansed with boiling water. Perhaps few have adverted to the propriety of thoroughly cleansing the cider mills, vats, tubs, and other utensils ; but neat and finely flavoured cider is not to be expected without that precaution. 6. The most difficult part of the process in making cider, is, so to regulate the fermentation as to preserve a sufficient degree of sweetness. If suffered to take its own course, the fermentation will continue long, and the cider be changed inta a harsh, sour and pale coloured liquor. To prevent this, the cider must be drawn off: and the time of doing it is, when the lighter parts of the pomace have risen to the top, forming a brown coat or scum on its surface, and when the heavier parts have sunk to the bottom. This state of the cider would be clearly manifested, if a quantity were fermented in an open vessel. In four or five, or more days, according to the warmth or coolness of the air, such a separation of the parts of the pom- ace would appear. Just when that brown coat cracks and be- gins to show a white froth, is the time for drawing off the cider^ taking care that no portion of the scum or lees run out and mix with it. After this, some fermentation may again take place, and require a second, and perhaps a third racking. If the cider be fermented in casks, these should want a gallon or two of be- ing full. There will be no harm done by exposing so much surface to the air, for it will be soon covered with the brown pomace ; and th?n too the precise time for racking will be seen. , After apples are ground, the pomace should remain exposed to the air, in open vats or tubs, about twenty-four hours, before it is made into the cheese to be pressed. This is known to give not only a better colour, but to add to the sweetness of the cider. An eminent naturalist and practical farmer, in the greatest cider county in England, states, that when the rind and pulp of 29 appFes are green, the cider will alwaja be tliin, wrak and col- ourless; and when these are deeply tinged with yellow, it will always possess colour, with either strength or richness. And again, that such apples as are yellow, or yellow intenniKed with red, are alone capable of making tine cider. TIMOTHY PICKERING, PresidenU F. HOWES, Secretary. January 10, 1821. AJRBAJyGEMEJ>rTS FOR THE CATTLE SHOfV AMD PLOUGHLYG MATCH, TOR THE COUNTY OF ESSEX IN THE YEAR 1821. 1. It is expected that the society, at their annual meeting at Ipswich, on the nineteenth day of February next, will deter- mine at what place the cattle and other live stock, to be pre- sented for premiums, and the ploughing match, shall be exhi- bited. 2. The Trustees will timely appoint the necessary commit- tees to examine and report on the claims for premiums, and as- semble with them at the place of exhibition, on Thursday, the eleventh day of October next, at nine o'clock in the morning ; at which time, all claims for premiums must be presented and entered. The committees will then inspect all the live stock, and any other articles which may be subjects of premiums, and prepare their reports thereon. 3. On the next day, at ten o'clock in the morning, the trial of working oxen will be made ; and be followed, at eleven o'clock, by the ploughing match. At twelve o'clock, an ad- dress, on the important subjects of our institution, will be deliv- ered, by a member of the society. / '30 4. At one o'clock, the members of the society will dine to* gethcr ; and at two o'clock, the reports of the various commit* tees will be read ; and the premium? awarded be immediately paid to the successful candidates. 5. The live stock and any other articles which may be ex- Ijibited for premiums, on T hursda\-, must remain until the next day at noon, to be viewed bj' the members of the society. G. Decisions on claims for premiums on Indian corn and root crops must necessarily be postponed, because these may not )te generally harvested by the time of the cattle show. But all such claims must bo sent to the secretary of the society, by the twentieth day of ]N"ovember next, sealed up. On that day the papers will be delivered to the committee appointed to ex- amine and report on such claims ; and after that day no claims will be admitted. The premiums awarded will be immediately paid by the treasurer. ox THE RAISIXG OF FOREST TREES. In a preceding page, the common English practice is men- tioned of sowing the seeds in beds, removing the seeding plants to nurseries, and thence to the ground where they are to re- ceive their full growth. But some English writers contend, that Oaks in particular attain the quickest and best growths, when they spring from the sown acorns, and are never trans- planted : because then the young trees receive no check from the shortening of the tap root, or the loss of the fibrous roots proceeding from it. Where the land to be planted admits of culture with the plough, this doubtless is the most eligible mode. But the young oaks will not generally rise more thaa five or six inches the first year, although the tap root may des- cend to the depth of from one to two feet. The second year's growth will also be small; after which, the removal of the plants 31 to the nursery slioulJ not be dclayeil. But this removal may be dispensed witb, by cutting off the tap roots with a long spade ground to a sharp edge, and thrust, in a sloping direction, under the plants in the rows, as deep as possible, so as to preserve, eight or ten inches of the tap root This is sometimes practis- ed in England ; and, it is presumed, will not materially check the growth of the trees. For this operation, it is obvious that the seed-beds must be a fine loam, free from stones or graveL In whatever way the plaotation shall be made, the ground in which the acorns are sown should be in a state of perfect tillage, and well cleaned by some tillage crop or crops, admit- ting the plough and hoe, and where no weeds have been suffer- ed to ripen their seeds ; which will save much labour in the cultivation of the young plants, especially in the first and second years. The deeper the ground is ploughed or dug for receiv- ing the seed, whether in the nursery beds or in the field, the better the trees will thrive ; especially by being more secure from the effects of drought. The acorns should be collected from the most thrifty trees, sown in drills, or channels, about two inches deep, and covered, with some pressure of the earth upon them. If dropped in a seed bed, the acorns should be i]icacb, plutn and cherry trees are tnQch Deg^ lecteiJ ; notwithstanding the latter, if headed down,* and pro- perly managed, will soon bear abundantly ; and the former are more easily cultivated than most fruit trees. The best kinds of cherries, ripening, as they do, at an early season, when there is no other kind of fruit in the market, will always command a good price. Of these, the birds, which cheer you with their melody in the spring, and greatly beneBt you by destroying insects dur- ing that and the following season?, will claim a share. Instead of declaring war against such good friends, act a more generous part ; plant more trees, and raise fruit enough for them, your- selves and the market. Peach and plum trees are generally short-lived : but this is a circumstance of very little importance, as they can always be replaced if a few stones be planted annu- ally. The better varieties of the plum and peach, which can always be raised as easily as any, are delicious fruit, and may be preserved in sugar: or, by drying, for culinary purposes; or converted into vinous liquors by fermenta'ion. European walnuts are deserving attention, as are our native ghagbarks. The growth of the timber will pay for cultivating, and the fruit will be clear gain. The chesnut is a valuable tree, both for timber and its iVuit ; it grows rapidly; and a late dis- covery, that the wood is superior to oak barjj for tanning, ren- ders it highly important that it should be cultivated where there are such extensive tanneries as in some parts of Essex. It has been said of American farmers, that "they plant" and " they neglect'" fruit trees. In this county they seldom do the first. Nurseries are almost total'y neglected, notwithstanding there ought to be one on every farm, containing at least apple, pear, plum, peach and cherry trees. At present nothing sells more readily, or affords the cultivator a better profit, than young fruit or ornamental trees, at an age suitable for transplanting; but should nurseries ever become so numerous as to do away * Heading dozen. — This method of pruning, Forsyth says, will cause trees to hear every year, and produce three fourths more frnit than they ollierwifC would. When the huti? hegin to s^vell in the spring, cut tlie princi();il thoots down to three or four eyes. In old tree?, cut one half of such shoots only, in one year. This prevents the growth of longi, naked liranches, and lills tiie head of the tree with bearing wood. -15 this inducement, younjr trees would still be worth their cost to plant ont us 0[)[>orlunifie9 should occur. A principal reason why good Iruit is not more plenty, is, that few farmers think thpy can s[)are the money to purchase trees, and to raise them from the seed seems too slow a method. They seem to despair of livins: 'on? enough to derive any advantage from such labours, and consequently spend a long life, destitute of many riches and comforts which they might have possessed. The best policy for agriculturalists, as well as others, is always to act on benev- olent principles. Let us plant these trees, should be their lan- guage ; they will benefit somebody, if we should not live to enjoy them ourselves. And, on a dying bed, it is what we have done to promote the happiness of others that will afford us the greatest consolation. Quinces, grapes, gooseberries, currants, &c. might be easily cultivated in such quantities, as to supply our citizens with wines, preserves and sweetmeats, equally palatable, and far less injurious to health, than auch as are now at a great expense imported. In looking over English books on gardening and cookery, Tvho IS not surprised that so few of (he esculent vegetables, es- teemed valuable in Europe, are here cultivated ? The dilficul- ty of obtaining seed is probably the chief cause of this neglect. May we not confidently hope, that one of the benefits resulting- from the establishment of this society will be the more gen-^ral distribution of rare and valuable seeds ; and that, by CAaibiling at our annual shows the productions either of uncommon plants, or of new and better varieties of such as have hitherto been cultivated, the attention of farmers will be attracted to means of rendering the business profilablc, with which they would otherwise never have become acquainted ? Might not our an- nual meetings in the, month of February be rendered more use- ful and interesting, if the members generally would make it an object to carry with them for distribution such seeds, roots, and also scions of the best kinds of fruits for grafting ? It would also be good policy, I conceive, for American furm. ers to endeavour to supply the market with'ucb raw materials^ 46 aa our soil and climate will produce in perfection, as are in de- mand, either for exportation or domestic manufacture. Under this head I shall call your attention a few moments to flax, hemp and wool. With the cultivation of Flax, almost every farmer is in some measure acquainted. But since cotton goods have lie- come so cheap, it has been generally abandoned as unprofita- ble. Great improvements in machinery for dressing and spin- ning it having been recently anounced, it is not improbable that it will again be considered one of the most profitable of crops. Linen must ever be preferred to cotton for many uses, provided it can be afforded nearly as cheap. Expertness in manufacturing flax into useful and ornamental articles of dress was formerly, and I trust will again, be considered one of the most honourable of female accomplishments. It certainly de- serves to hold a superior rank to embroidering, tambouring and painting. But to enable our ingenious and industrious ladies to rival foreigners in the manufacture of laces and fine linen, they must be furnished with the raw material in perfection. Our patriotic farmers therefore would do well to acquaint them- selves with the most improved methods of cultivating and man- aging flax.'*' To the Irish, who have carried the manufacture of linen to so great a degree of perfection, we may confidently look for instruction on this subject. And as knowledge acquir- ed from books, and other sources of like nature, is not alone suificient to ensure success, let such methods as have been found most successful elsewhere, be subjected to experiments on a small scale here. Nor let failure in the first instance dis- courage farther efforts. It is the price that must generally be paid for all valuable improvements in any art. Hi;mp is another article in great demand; for large quanfitiee of it are imported, which might be cultivated here as success- fully as in any country on the globe. Why then should we yield to foreign agriculturalists all the profits of supplying Amet*- * The thread for Mhich Mrs. Crowninshicld, of Danvers, receiTed a prcminni from (he Mas?nchi!«eltE rociefj', a fe.-v years since, wns made of flax sowed thick, so as to prevent it from growings rank, was pulled imme- diately after the blooms liad fallen, and boiled inr-tead of l-eidg; rotted, ■\V,:^fer rotting, howc-ver. would answer tlic same piirj-'osc. 47 ?can shipping with the raw material for cordage and canra; ? According to the Hon. Justin Ely's statement, hemp ia Hamp- shire county Las been found to produce from four (o eight hundred weight to the acre, and from six to nine bushels of seed. It is worth, at this time, about nine and a iialf dollars per hundred, and the seed probably a dollar and fifty cents per bushel. The labour of cultivating, pulling and rotting it, can- not be more than is usually bestowed on an acre of Indian corn. An expert workman can dress 3 cwt. in a weeJc. Should it ever be raised in large quantities, it might undoubtedly be dressed by water, at a much cheaper rate. It must therefore 1 think prove a profitable crop. Were this not the case, it would notwithstanding be worthy the attention of American farmers, who ought to endeavour to supply the market with every thing which they can cultivate, without involving them- selves in debt : for by so doing they will plant the seeds of re- sources, which some time or other will atford them a rich har- vest. Wool. I have no wish to renew the merino speculations which proved so ruinous lo many a few years since. I think however that we have much reason to regret the indiscriminate, destruction of fine flocks which followed. For although I do not believe that it will ever be good policy for the farmers of this county to go largely into the raising of wool, a commodity- more worthy the attention of those who inhabit the interior and more mountainous parts of our country, still 1 think that a few sheep may be profitably kept on almost every farm. If a farmer has plenty of wool in his house, his wife, daughters, or female domestics, will generally be disposed to manufacture if, although they would not urge him to go and buy it for this pur- pose, and would be seldom gratified if he did. Or he might make an exchange with the woollen manufacturer, and thus ob- tain his clothing easier than he otherwise would, although he might, by paying cash, get cloths at a nominally cheaper rate. What kind of sheep, generally speaking, would it be most prof- itable to keep for these purposes ? Livingston says, half blood- ed merinoes ; and there is but little reason to doubt his correct- ness, when we take into consideration the value of the mglton as well as- the tleece. 4fi Some excellent observations on the subject ol ploughing — the best method of increasing the quantity, and inoproving the quali- ty, of manures — and the cultivation of root crops, and other green food, for feeding cattle — contained in thfe addresses of the Hon. President of this Society, render it unnecessary for me to call your attention at this time to these subjects of primary importance to every farmer. On the subject of Wheat, to what is said in the above men- tioned addresses, I will add a few observations. Although the cultivation of this most valuable grain has been generally aban- doned on account of the uncertainty of obtaining a crop, it is, I must think, still deserving' attention. Is it not surprising that a plant, which comes to perfection both at the north and south of us, cannot be advantageously cultivated here ? Is it not evi- dent that the failure must be owing, not to the climate, but to some defect in the preparation, or constituent parts of the soil ? If so, these defects can be remedied. Perhaps the following facts, stated by that distinguished scientific English farmer. Dr. James Anderson, will furnish all the hints necessary to ensure success. He states, '■'■ that a field of good arable land, a mellow loam, in Aberdeenshire, which had long been under culture, waa subjected to a thorough summer fallow, to get rid of the weeds ; and a moderate dressing of lime and some dung was given it at the same time. The whole field was sown with wjieat at the proper season, which sprung up equally in every part of it. For some time no difference was perceivable in the appearance of crop over the whole. By and by it was observed that the wheat, on a small portion of the field which by accident had not had any lime put upon it, became pale'and sickly : while the crop on other parts of the field advanced luxuriantly, it dwindled oo this particular patch more and more until about the beginning of May : the whole had then died quite out, and not one stalk of wheat %vas to be found upon it, though the weeds, in conse- quence of the richness of the soil, grew there with extreme luxuriance. Perhaps the proportion of lime did not in this case amount to more than one thousandth part of the whole ; yet the qualities of the soil were thereby totally altered, insomuch that, though before the application of that dressing the soil was inca- 49 pable of producing wheat at all, it was found to t>e at all times after ihat period well adapted to the rearing of this crop." The elfcct of wood ashes on soils, thoujjh less durable, is eimiiar to that of lime. Will not (his account for the luxuriant growth of wheat here formerlj-, and in those places where the wood has been recently cleared olT by burning, at this time ? The greatest improvements in Agriculture in Great Britain, where plaister of raris, as with us, is found nearly inoperative, have beea made during the last forty years by the use of Lime. And there can be but little doubt that much of the soil in this county can be economically improved by the same means. A few directions therefore for using quick lime cannot fail of being interesting : for this can be more easily obtained by the farmers in this county, than any other calcareous earth, except in the neighbourhood of soap manufactories, where leached ashes, which contain much lime, can be had at a cheaper rate. The fol- lowing directions for using quick lime are extracted from some of the best English writers on this subject : From thirty to three hundred bushels are usually applied to an acre ; but en poor soils, and soils which abound with roots, peat and other insoluble vegetable matter, even six hundred may be used with advantage. Soils thus dressed will be render- ed more fertile forever after. Quick lime should be reduced to powder by slacking it witl^ water, and spread dry, so that il may mix as intimately with the soil as possible, at least one month before the seed is to be sown. Id this country, it being necessary to sow grain as early as pos- sible in the spring, the lime should be spread the preceding autumn. And as the feet of cattle are sometimes injured by it, it must be suffered to lie on the surface of the ground till it be- comes mild, like chalk, which will take place in a few weeks, before it is either ploughed or harrowed in. Quick lime applieil to plants while growing, and of course to vegetating seeds, invariably injures them. Quick lime injures all animal manures, and therefore should never be mixed with oommon dung, or applied to the soil at the same time. When applied to low, boggy soii-", in sufficient quantities, it will destroy 50 *!U)SS and the meadow grasses, and fit them for producing the most abundant crops of clover, and cultivated grasses, InmcA'MoN is another means of fertilizing the earth, that haS not been duly appreciated in this vicinity. Falls of water have been estimated in England to be worth as much for watering the land, as for mills and factories. It is well known that evea the temporary streams formed by the melting snows in the spring, if caused to run a few weeks over dry, gravelly soils, will render them highly productive of grass the whole season, iet our brooks and rivulets are suffered not only to run to waste, but even to render barren extensive tracts of land in their vicinity. Wherever there is a fall of water running through land suitable for the purpose, let it be divided, and car- ried as high on each side as it will ru» freely ; throw the inter- mediate space into ridges about twenty feet wide ; along the top of each let a small stream of water be passed occasionally ; give the whole a dressing of ashes, or lime ; and it will produce the most abundant crops of grass, without any further expense. Admitting therefore that the expense of preparing land in this manner should amount, in th€ first instance, to an hundred or even to two hundred dollars an acre, it would still prove cheap- er than most mowing land, which can be kept productive only by frequent expensive manuring. Such land would contribute the whole of its productions to enrich the other parts of the farm ; a consideration of no little importance in estimating its value. By mixing different earths, soils may be permanently improv- ed. Clayey and sandy lands are frequently found in the imme* diate vicinity of each other. By dressing the sandy with cla}', and the claj'ey with sand, both, though naturally barren, may be rendered fertile. That similar fertility would follow the mixture of other earths cannot be doubted. Experiments made on chemical principles, will in all human probability develop most valuable resources of this kind, which are at present un- known to agriculturalists. To the subject of fertilizing and rendering more valuable pas- ture lands,, by covering them with Trees, I cannot too strongly Mrge your attention. Locust trees grow rapidly, and produce 51 ibe most valuable wood and timber. Planted oh dry, sandy oi gravelly pastures, they greatly fertilize the soil by their abun- dance of tender leaves, which, falling on the ground, rot in the course of the winter and spring. Cattle are particularly fond of the grass which grows thick and luxuriantly under them, as well as of the young trees which are continually springing up from their rootf. Similar advantages may be derived from planting low, rocky or bogery lands, which are generally covered with alders and other useless bushes, with common willows. These trees not only produce wood, which when dried is better than white pine, faster than most other trees, but greatly meliorate boggy soils, and bring in a better kind of grass, which makes excellent pas- turage. Of the correctness of these assertions, every one, who will take the trouble to examine the land under groves of locust and willow trees, must, I think, be fully convinced. They are most certainly not the vain speculations of a theorist. Like ma- ny other facts contained in this address, they are derived not from books, but from the observation and experience of my worthy father, who spent an industrious, useful and observing life in the practice of husbandry. Nor are the above mentioned the only advantages derived from covering pasture lands with trees. They serve to shelter the cattle, while feeding, from the exhausting effects of a burning sun. They prevent rapid evaporation, and probably attract showers ; consequently in- crease the size of adjacent streams, and thereby fertilize soils far beyond the reach of their shadows. Besides, whatever grows out of the earth ultimately returns to it again, to afford food for other plants wliich succeed. Consequently the more any soil can be made to produce, the more that, or some other in the neighbourhood, will be enriched. Do any doubt the cor- rectness of these theories? Why has Palestine, or the holy land, which once flowed with milk and honey, and supported by its own produce, on an extent of territory not exceeding that of Massachusetts, seven millions of people, become so barren as scarcely to be able to preserve a few thousand miserable wretches ? Why has the river Jordan, once undoubtedly a no- ble strc am rolling through fertile valleys, been reduced to a small da brook ivindiDg ils way through a sandy desert ? You wiil per* haps answer, the malediction of the Most High rests upon it, True, but the Almighty effects his purposes through the agency of natural causes. It was overrun by victorious armies, and vegetation was destroyed ; exposed to the direct rays of the sun, the soil itself disappeared, the springs were dried up, and fer- tilizing showers became Jess and less frequent. The same pro- cess is now going on in our naked pastures; many of which, that a few years since were well clothed with grass, now pro- duce little or nothing but moss. Improving the breeds and condition of Live Siock must also increase the profits of Agriculture. One good cow full fed is ^vorth more for the dairy than four ordinary half-starved ones.* Would it not therefore be for the interest of every farmer to keep no more neat cattle than can be well pastured or soiled in the summer, and fed ou English hay, corn fodder, potatoes, turnips, carrots, beets, &.c. in the winter, throwing the coarser kinds of hay and straw under them to furnish a warm bed, and to be con- verted into manure at the same time? By so doing, and by cross- ing inferior breeds, and raising the best calves, it is in the power of almost every farmer in the course of a few years, without involving himself in debt, greatly to improve his stock, and in- crease the income of his dairy. I know that this high feeding, of milch cows is not generally believed to be profitable, notwith- standing Mr. Oakes and others have proved so satisfactorily that one bushel of Indian corn per week will cause a good cow to yi'eld from seven to ten additional pounds of butter. Allowing the corn to be worth 62i cents, the extra butter, at 12i cents per pound, would pay all the additional labour, and afford a good profit (on the corn) besides. But this is not all : the cow would give milk nearly the whole year, be made good beef at the same time, and her calves would be much more valuable. Indian corn, however, is probably not the cheapest article to feed cattle * If cows are ever allowed to fall ver^' Ioav during the winter, in vain sliall you hope to obtain an abundant supply of luilk by bringing (liem into tiigh condition in the summer ; ibr if a cow be lean at the lime of calving, no management afterwards will ever bring her to yield for that season any thing like the quantity of milk that she would have done, Lad she been aB th^ winter in a high condition. ^ndereon. 53 upon : potatoes, turnips, beets, carrots, pumpkins, Sec. are much more easily raised, and will probably answer llie same purpose. Farmers generally would make their pursuits more profitable if Ihey were careful to send to maiket the best articles, in the neatest order. Good butter, good cheese, good fruit, good cider, good pork, beef and mutton, will always sell, even when the market is g