SECRETARY'S REPORT. 59 



than either to continue the course -which has led to tliis condition, 

 or to abandon the land, a broad and important field of investigation 

 opens before us. Nothing else in the whole range of topics con- 

 nected with the agriculture of Maine more imperatively demands 

 serious attention. 



To obtain the views and results of the experience of practical 

 agriculturists among us upon this point, and bearing in mind the 

 limited capital of a great majority of our farmers, which effectually 

 prevents their resorting at once to such measures as ampler means 

 would readily suggest and command, the following question was pro- 

 pounded in the circular of inquiries before alluded to : 



"What method of procedure would you recommend, in order to 

 recover the fertility of partially exhausted lands, (under ordinary 

 circumstances.) and where there is lack of capital to purchase fer- 

 tilizers?" 



The replies, as might be anticipated, are widely various, and few, 

 probably, in attempting an answer, proposed to themselves to touch 

 upon all available means which might assist toward the desired end, 

 but rather only such as most readily suggested themselves to the 

 writers. Allusions to the subject of saving and making manures 

 are perhaps more numerous than any other — as in the following : 



" Haul muck, if to be had, into the barn yard and hog yard ; collect weeds 



and all kinds of vegetable rubbish from low places in pastures ; turves from tho 



road side, and increase the manure heap in every possible way. Use all the 



ashes you can make, buy more if you can, and add a few casks of plaster ; 



plow deep and thoroughly." 



D. Notes, Norway. 



" Eat your hay at home ; save all manure ; yard cattle in summer ; haul in 

 muck, sods or any thing ; plow in spring and manure. In the fall scrape 

 your yard ; get earth where the yard has washed, and top dress." 



E. S. HoPKiKS, New Portland. 



" Reclaim waste and swamp lands ; keep the hog yard, cow yard, and barn 

 cellar, well provided with muck. Turf, leaves, muck or other vegetable mat- 

 ter mixed well with the excrements of hogs and cattle, judiciously applied, is 



almost our entire dependence." 



Reuben Winchell, South Acton. 



" If far in the country, we would make great use of the bog or swamp 

 muck, leaves, ashes, lime and plaster. Sow clover and turn it under. If 



