110 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



it is believed that their atlvantage in this regaul, is fully offset, if not 

 more than counter-balanced, by the enormously high price of land 

 there, as compared with ours. 



Thus have wo gone over the suggestions afforded by correspondents 

 regarding means to restore a larger productiveness to our lands : 

 Manures — fallows and fallow crops — green manuring — rotation of 

 crops, (including root culture) — deeper and better tillage — forest 

 growth, and sheep husbandry — perhaps quite enough for once: "a 

 dose for a grown person," as. the doctors Avould say, and as much as 

 may be advisable at the present time; but I can hardly consent to 

 drop the subject, without suggesting what is deemed fundamental, 

 and ought to underlie, and direct, and control all our efforts ; and 

 this is. a steady aim to make stock husbandry, in some of its 

 branches, the leading object, and tillage subordinate and contributary 

 thereto. 



As at present situated, we cannot grow grains farther than to 

 supply ourselves and our animals ; (we don't do this now.) We can 

 lice by the plow, but can we thrive 7 and is there any doubt but 

 that we can thrive by the sale of animals and animal products? not 

 young or lean cattle alone, for Massachusetts farmers to grow and 

 fatten, but oxen, horses, sheep, fat beef, fat mutton, pork, butter, 

 cheese, and the like. 



If objection arise, that should all our farmers at once and earnestly 

 adopt this plan, (and especially in view of the fact, that the great 

 west is awaking to a sense of the importance of stock husbandry, 

 to save itself from exhaustion.) there is strong probability of a 

 material reduction in prices, it is readily and frankly admitted. 

 Nay, more; in order to prevent disappointment, such a result should 

 be counted upon for a certain tj'. Our answer is, that ?/;e inn afford 

 to sell at lower prices, and then do better than by neglecting it. 



This policy is not advocated in view of the high prices which have 

 ruled of late, but for reasons of an entirely distinct character. 

 Our most pressing need is an increase of fertility, and to accomplish 

 this end, the grand means is the consumption of the crops of the 

 farm, upon the farm itself, coupled with due care in the preservation 

 and application of the resulting manure. Improved modes of prac- 



