SECRETARY'S REPORT. 4^ 



dollars; average value twenty- tlireo dullai-s. In my jucl;2;racnt, twenty-five 

 per cent, at least, may bo saved in tlie present cost of feuding cattle, by pro-* 

 viding more comfortable and warmer stables. 



The cost of growing and housing corn, wheat and other grains, I am unable 

 to answer definitely. This year I intend to keep debt and credit, hoping oth- 

 ers will do the same, so t!iat wo may in future, give the desired information. 

 All the varieties of grain can bo raised here in abundance, as cheap as else- 

 where, with as good a market as can be found in the United States. Wheat, 

 the white bald, and a bearded kind called the Madawaska or Kimball wheat, 

 and tlie Dutton corn, have succeeded here aa well as any. We have different 

 kinds of oats and barley, all of which yield abundantly. Rye, but little 

 raised, altliough it does well. The cost of growing and storing the carrot, 

 beet and turnip crop, 1 am unable to answer. They yield abundantly in this 

 section. 



Instead of exhausting our lands still further, we ought to keep the leaks well 

 stopped in the barn and liog yard, keep them well supplied with vegetable 

 matter, muck, sink water, suds, and slops from the house; take care of the 

 hen manure and privy ; look well to the compost heap ; have it understood 

 that time is money, which should bo employed systematically ; by tiius doing 

 we shall never be subject to the western fever. Many of us in this vicinity 

 are deficient in care and economy, while others keep but little stock, and sell 

 hay from their farms until they become exhausted ; others make shingles, 

 almost to the entire neglect of the soil. I fear this state of things will exist 

 for years, unless the State pursues a difl'erent policy, with regard to settling 

 wild lands. There may be exceptions, but so far as this town is concerned, 

 the settling act has been no advantage, any further than the old settlers were 

 concerned, who had not paid for their land. With a large proportion of the 

 new ones who come in, the first thing to select is a shingle berth. If the 

 State, instead of the policy now pursued, would give a portion of its land 

 towards defraying the expense of a I'ail or plank road, it would bring in capi- 

 tal and enterprise. In my humble opinion, the county never will rise to 

 compete with other places, until the State puts forth her strong arm, and 

 assists, with an outlay, which will soon return to her coffers fourfold. 

 There is no place within my knowledge, more capable of producing wealth, 

 than the county of Aroostook. 



Yours, Respectfully, 



Morgan L. Gerry. 



Presqce Isle, Aroostook Co., August, 1857. 



Dear Sir : As your circular has fallen into my hands, and being interested 

 in the agriculture of the county, I take this opportunity to answer such 

 queries as I deeiA applicable to this portion of the State. 



Tlie number of farmers in this plantation has increased in the la9t five 

 years, probably one-sixth. 



