• SECRETARY'S REPORT. 127 



Guano lias tiot been much tried. I used four hundred pounds last 

 year, on Indian corn, and some on potatoes. I used one hundred pounds 

 to the acre, this year, on wheat, and in all Cases the effect is good. I 

 think it as cheap at sixty dollars per ton, as any dressing wc can buy. 

 Plastet is used on dry lands with good success." 



mOJI B. F. EASTMAN. 



" Verj' little is done to increase the quantity or improve the quality 

 of manures by the farmers of Phillips. A few farmers have barn cel- 

 lars for manures. Almost all admit their utility who have witnessed 

 the results. Stable manures are generally used in a crude state. I 

 doubt not that fifty per cent, in value might be saved on our farms, 

 and as much more added, with but trifling expense. First, by pre- 

 serving manures from the drenching rains and the burning influence of 

 the sun and drying winds. Secondly, by paying more attention to 

 littering pur stock in the stables and barn yards, by preserving prop- 

 erly the almost endless number of substances that could be easily con- 

 verted into manures, by supplying swine with materials of which 

 to make manure. For example : a few years since, from the fourth of 

 July to November, my two hogs supplied me with twelve cartloads or 

 six cords of manure, which was enough to manure one acre of corn in 

 the hill. I keep but two hogs, and they invariably supply manure 

 enough for from one to one and a half acres of corn per year. Muck does 

 not abound in large quantities in this town. Plaster only, has been to 

 any extent applied to corn and potatoes on dry land newly broke up. Its 

 effects are marked and beneficial." 



' FKOM CAMDE^r. 



"No special means are used to increase the quantity or improve the 

 quality of our manures. Considerable quantities of ashes from the 

 lime kilns are used on our lands, and as a top dressing for grass, with 

 considerable benefit. 



Guano, super-phosphate of lime, and plaster, have been used to a 

 limited extent in this vicinity, with but little or no benefit. Mexican 

 guano was used, and I think the article wholly worthless ; but I learn 

 some who have used the Peruvian guano, think very highly of it. 

 Whether it would be profitable to purchase at jjresent prices, I am not 

 prepared to say." 



FEOM M. GOULD. 



" Sheltering manure from the weather, and supplying the stock with 

 absorbent bedding, is common in Bridgton. A few individuals form 

 compost heaps with good success. Manure is generally used in a crude 

 state, spread on the land, and ploughed in. Probably more than one 



