SECRETARY'S REPORT. 21 



lands, or wHere the soil is highly manured, as for other crops. He 

 mentioned a man whose land had run out by this method, but had 

 been only partially reclaimed by hauling on muck and manure, the 

 ruinous results being still apparent. Rotation of crops is the only 

 true method. 



The business committee reported a series of topics for considera- 

 tion, which were assigned to committees, as folio vts : 



No. 1. To what extent, and by what means can labor saving ma- 

 chinery and improved implements, be most advantageously intro-. 

 duced? Messrs. Chamberlain, Davis and Fuller. 



No. 2. Is it as needful for farmers to educate themselves thor- 

 oughly in their calling, as for mechanics, physicians, merchants, or 

 lawyers? If so, by what means can it best be accomplished? 

 Messrs. True, Porter and Russ. 



No. 3. Ought farmers to hope for success without such constant 

 and undivided attention as warrants the hope of success in other 

 branches of business? Messrs. Anderson, Hammond and Stackpole. 



No. 4. Is it advisable to urge the completion of the geological 

 and agricultural survey of the state? Messrs. Wasson, Cushman 

 and Dill. 



No. 5. Is there need of fences other than to enclose pasture 

 lands ? Messrs. Flint, Lancaster and Chamberlain. 



No. 6. What crop, if any, in our climate and system of husbandry 

 can be made to yield similar advantages to those derived from the 

 turnip in England? Messrs. Hammatt, Noyes and Anderson. 



No. T. Ought the Board of Agriculture to be empowered by law 

 to fix the times of holding the shows of agricultural societies ? 

 Messrs. Rice, Drummond and Bailey. 



No. 8. What proportion of the funds of agricultural societies, if 

 any, should be expended in promoting general farm improvements ? 

 Messrs. Dill, Goodale and Stevens. 



No. 9. What books may we best recommend to agricultural 

 societies to be given in premiums ? Messrs. Goodale, Avery and 

 Noyes. 



No. 10. Is it expedient that the Board of Agriculture at this 

 session recommend the breeds of stock, horses, neat cattle, sheep 

 and swine, most profitable to be bred and raised by the farmers of 

 Maine? Messrs. Hammond, Palmer and True. 



