SECRETARY'S REPORT, 125 



TEOJI IvEV. A. LINCOLN'. 



"We liave an abundance of meadow muck in Gi-aj-, and tlie more 

 intelligent farmers are beginning to make considerable account of it. 

 It is generally carted into the barn-yards, hog-pens, sink-drains and 

 such like places, at different seasons of the year, and thus converted 

 into manure. There is no doubt but that the value of manures 

 might be increased at least fifty per cent, by a little more intelligence 

 and industry. We have some very handsome fields of corn on sandy, 

 plain land, where the only manure used has been meadow muck, 

 which was hauled out in heaps, and exposed to the weather during 

 one year, and then ploughed in, and also put in the hill. 



Plaster has been fairly tried and it is generally considered valuable, 

 when properly used, especially in a dry season ; but in regard to other 

 artificial manures, there has not yet been made a fair trial." 



FROM AV. H. POWERS. 



" Many farmers in Bridgton cart swamp muck or loam into their 

 barn-yards and pig-sties, and in some cases, into the barn cellar^ to 

 absorb the urine of the stock. Sheds for the protection of manure, 

 are increasing. So are barn cellars. Stable manures are used mostly 

 in a crude state, and ploughed under for corn and other hoed crops. 

 Bj watering cattle in the barn yard in winter, in all cases where it 

 is possible ; by having cellars under the stables, and keeping them 

 supplied with muck or loam to absorb urine, and supplying the pigs 

 with the same material, in sufficient quantities ; also using the same 

 to absorb soap-suds and the liquid contents of privies, our manui'es 

 might be greatly increased. Some farmers have used muck usually, 

 and with the best eff"ects, by carting into the hog yard, barn yard, 

 and barn cellar. So used, it absorbs the liquids of those places, and 

 thus becomes an excellent manure. 



Plaster has been used in connection with other manures, and seldom 

 otherwise. The other articles have not been much used. A few 

 farmers used guano last year, and in some cases are continuing the 

 experiment this year. Super-phosphate of lime and poudrette have 

 been used in a very few instances this year ; with what effect remains 

 to be seen." 



FROJI S. r. PEELEY. 



" In Naples, manures are better husbanded than formerly. Sheds 

 or cellars are provided by most of our best farmers, for the protection 

 of manures ; and it is believed that one-third in quality, is thus saved. 

 Muck has been used for fifteen or twenty years, though to a limited 

 extent, till within the last few years. It is generally gaining favoT; 



