72 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



Maine. In getting at the "what to do," or not to do, let each 

 farmer make a thorough study of his own soil, its fertility, 

 its adaptation for different purposes, its location, and such 

 other factors as are essential to the fullest knowledge of its 

 capabilities. When this careful study has been given, many 

 of us will find it necessary to make a new map of the farm. 

 We shall find that instead of using the thin soil located upon 

 high hills, broken, rocky lands along the water-courses, and 

 sterile plains, for pasturage, other and better lands will be 

 occupied, and these now comparatively waste places wdll be 

 set apart for the growth of wood and timber. When these 

 high hills and sandy plains are again re-clothed with forest 

 growth, they will shelter the home, the garden, the orchard 

 and field from the blighting eflfects of the drying winds of 

 summer, and the rude, piercing blasts of winter. Having 

 disposed of these waste lands to the best advantage, set apart 

 for pastures lands convenient and accessible to the buildings, 

 and adapted to the growth of as large a number of varieties 

 of grasses as is consistent with the other interests of the farm, 

 the next important step is to enclose the pasture with a sub- 

 stantial fence. Let the rule be to fence the stock in and not 

 out; by so -doing all road and interior fences not needed 

 about the pasture can be dispensed with. Unnecessary 

 fences not only cost largely to build and keep in repair, but 

 occupy good land and greatly disfigure and mar the beauty 

 of the scenery. 



Do not ask nor expect your stock, and especially your 

 milch cows, to get all their feed from the pasture from early 

 spring till late fall, or not till your pasture is made vastly 

 more productive than the average pastures of Maine. Pre- 

 pare some forage crop for soiling during the drought of late 

 summer or early fall. This fed out upon the pasture will be 

 one means for their improvement. 



Having selected the lands to be used for pasturage, the 

 first work to be done in their renovation is to remove the 

 bushes and noxious weeds that infest them, and give the 

 grasses a chance to grow. My experience teaches me that 



