(38 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



Before the introduction of foreign animals, but little attention 

 was paid to the improvement of neat stock. When Thorougbred 

 Bulls were brought among us and larger prices demanded for their 

 use, the attention of the farmer was called to the subject — compar- 

 isons were made between these animals and only the best selected 

 for crossing. It not only led to more careful selections in breeding 

 but to more generous care and treatment in the way of warm barns 

 and better feed. 



Much has already been accomplished, and yet there is abundant 

 room for farther improvement in this direction. We cannot have 

 grade animals without thoroughbreds. We believe that as much 

 depends upon having bulls from good dairy ancestry as cows, and 

 as it is a fact that there is a great difference in families of the dif- 

 ferent breeds as to their dairy qualities ; if butter and cheese is 

 the desired object, we advise the purchase and use of only such 

 animals as have been bred to this point. 



Mr. Chamberlain, for the Committee on the subject of Manures, 

 reported as follows : 



New and Increased Fertilizers. 



We take the liberty to join to our topic as expressed in its widest 

 application, the same thing, only clipped a little, which was 

 assisrned us for consideration in the last interim. ' 



We couple them for the reason that we have how only time to 

 treat the subject with extreme brevity. Our topic, then, contem- 

 plates the inquiry whether we have availed ourselves of all those 

 substances within our reach recognized as fertilizers, and to the 

 extent that it may be applied with good results. 



Chemistry teaches that sixt.y-four primary elements, (so far as at 

 present known,) enter into the composition of soils and go to build 

 up the structure of vegetable and animal organisms. 



A chemical analysis detects certain elements in plants ; the 

 plants get them from the soil. If the soil is deficient in them they 

 must be supplied ; and for this supply we procure such elements 

 as were previously derived from the soil, or we get them otherwise 

 from nature's great storehouses. 



The principle involved in this simple cycle is the basis of the art 

 and science of manuring crops. When these principles were first 

 perceived, scientific men predicted a sure and swift development of 

 the art of agriculture. But science is a materialist. It stops short 

 where the natural elements are merged into life. 



