28 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



ill a measure be supplied when earnest individuals put forth an 

 effort for the public goorl. 



Following the introductory exercises a familiar lecture was given 

 upon the subject, "Maintaining the Fertility of the Soil," by Prof. 

 WALTEr Balentine, of the State College. 



Mr. Ingersoll, in reviewing the lecture said that even in a soil so 

 exhausted by cropping as to no longer produce paying crops, thei*e 

 was still an abundance of plant food remaining, but it was in insoluble 

 ibrms and therefore unavailable to plant growth. This could be 

 liberated or rendered soluble and available by a thorough cultivation 

 or pulverization. This is not theoretical, but is proved in practice. 

 Repeated plowings are needed in place of the single plowing now 

 given and should become the general practice. Harrowings, too, 

 with the implements now in use may in part take the place of plow- 

 ing, and should be more frequently done than is now the general 

 practice. 



In the afternoon, Hiram Stevens, Esq., Master of the Grange, 

 occupied the chair. J. E. Shaw, Secretary of the Countj' Farmers' 

 Club, read a paper on '' Feeding Hay," which will be found in full 

 in another place. 



After the reading of the paper, Mr. Charles Brown of Carroll, 

 said he was much interested in the subject of the forenoon. As to 

 the question of feeding hav, he supposed there was no question in 

 the minds of any one but selling the hay from the farm would soon 

 manifest itself b^' a reduced fertilit}-. When a man was so situated 

 that he could purchase manure to take upon the farm, it might be 

 possible to pursue such a course. Among them it was simph' im- 

 possible. The important question with them is : if they are not to 

 sell their crops, how to secure the value of those products when 

 they are fed out on the farm. 



Mr. Mallett, Lakeville : It has been said there is no argument 

 in favor of selling hay. The desire to sell this crop can be ac- 

 counted for in no other way than that less intelligence is required. 

 This intelligence is what is wanted to be applied to the operations 

 of the farm. It was proved this forenoon that we could not only 

 maintain the fertility of the soil, but we could also improve the fer- 

 tility'^ of the soil we are now in possession of. This can only be 

 done through the application of intelligence, and by careful atten- 

 tion to all the details of the business. The fertilizing material 



