SECRETARY'S REPORT. 185 



its size — these air vessels, serving the double purpose of farthering 

 the plant in its destined oflSce, and when this is accomplished, float- 

 ing it to our shores to bo applied to useful purposes. 



In riding around in the vicinity of our sea coast, one is struck 

 with the immense quantities of it that are carted for the purpose of 

 manuring the fields; and when we think that in this town, which 

 raises as many vegetables, except potatoes, as the rest of the county, 

 for marketing, and the number of people who live upon those veg- 

 etables which are raised almost exclusively by this manure, we must 

 come to the conclusion that the sea weeds are a tribe of plants of 

 vast importance to a large section of the population of this State, at 

 least, and when taken with the sterile soil around our coast, almost 

 invaluable, as no species of manure reduces itself to a state for use 

 so quickly. 



AVith these views, I need not say that I believe an increase of the 

 use by farmers, in the vicinity of our coast, of this valuable weed, 

 wculd be a very great blessing and advantage, and would form a 

 permanent source to supply us with manure. 



On the Renovation of Worn out Lands. 



By E. L. Hammond, Atkinson. 



To S. L. GooDALE, Esq. Secretary, &c. 



Dear Sir: — Yours of the 25th ult., calling ray attention to the 

 fact that the Board of Agriculture at their session last winter, made 

 it my duty to furnish you with a paper on the subject of the reno- 

 vation of worn out or exhausted soils, is received. 



To me this is an interesting subject, and one I believe that is 

 engaging the attention of the farming community to some extent, 

 and I regret that I am not able to do it the justice its importance 

 demands. 



From an examination of the reports and documents already pub- 

 lished on this subject, I find much valuable information ; and it 

 appears to me that all that is immediately necessary, is a wider 

 diffusion of the light already thrown upon it, and corresponding 

 practice. Even a limited consideration of the importance of the 

 subject, embracing as it does, the different properties of soils, so as 



