70 • BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



lumbering and commercial pursuits, in -which signal success haa 

 crowned their eiForts, Maine now ranking first among the states of 

 the Union, in the amount of tonnage built, and sustaining high rank 

 regarding the amount of tonnage owned and sailed, the carrying on 

 of fisheries, lumbering, &c. 



A proj^er appreciation and a practical application of the marine 

 manures so bountifully furnished, would at once elevate the condi- 

 tion of agriculture along our coast from its present subordinate posi- 

 tion, to a corresponding rank in importance. 



Fallows. 



"This question is of the utmost importance. I would not abandon such 

 lands, noi" exhaust them further, but would let them rest, or turn them into, 

 pasture, and in three or four years, plow to the depth of one foot, seeding 

 down without cropping, sowing on ashes, lime, salt, &o. 1 have no doubt but 

 that many soils could be brought to, by simply plowing deep, and exposing 

 to the sun and air." 



G. H. Andrews, Monmouth. 



" When land has become exhausted, if there is not capital to cultivate the 

 same, I think that if it could be preserved from cropping or grazing, it would 

 recover, to a certain degree, on the principle that we always find nature prompt 

 to restore its own wounds." 



Abr^m Coffin, Waterborough. 



" \\ e tidnk it might be well to plow and let the land lie fallow one year ;. 

 but deeming "a bird in hand worth two in the bush," we take off all the 

 grass. My next neighbor, however, has turned in a few aci-es of gi'ass, and 

 ■we think he will get his reward. This question is a very important one to 

 us, many of whom, live on old and partially worn-out farms." 



. E. Jones, Minot. 



We find indicated in the above, and similar replies, a second mode 

 which is recommended as a means of recovering fertility, namely, 

 fallow, or summer tillage, as it is sometimes called. 



The naked fallow has been practised from a remote period of 

 antiquity, and up to a comparatively recent date was the only knowa 

 means (aside from manure) to this end. The theory of it was 

 anciently understood to be that the land became tired of bearing crops, 

 and needed rest. However incorrect this theory, the practice of 

 fallowing lands was accompanied with beneficial results, not only in 



