SECRETARY'S REPORT. 187 



plaster, and the saving of the liquids, and all other wastes of the 

 farm, -which contain fertilizing properties. 



Any mode of farming \vhich does not return to the farm annually, 

 that amount of plant sustaining elements drawn from it by the crops 

 taken off, may be set down as bad management, and will soon show 

 itself in the shape of worn out soil. 



From what has come under my own observation, the conviction 

 has been forced upon me, that many farms in Maine have deteri- 

 orated or become partially exhausted, not so much from a want 

 of knowledge in farming, as from neglect in consequence of divided 

 attention between farming and other business — especially is this the 

 case in that part of the State contiguous to the timber lands. And 

 here we have abundant evidence that farming is not a mean or small 

 business, from the fact, that in those towns where farming has been 

 the principal business, the people are decidedly the most prosperous 

 and independent. I refer here, particularly to those farming towns 

 in the neighborhood of the timber lands and sea board, in many of 

 which farming has only been a partial business. 



It is true that the renovation of an exhausted farm requires time, 

 patience, perseverance and capital ; and the larger stock a man has 

 of these on hand, the sooner he may consummate his object; yet 

 patience and perseverance will accomplish much in a short time, if 

 rightly applied. In order to start right, it is well to make a map 

 or plan of such a farm as we desire, or from situation and circum- 

 stances we can reasonably expect to make, and then direct our labor 

 and efforts to accomplish our object as soon as possible. In my 

 opinion it is highly important that a man should be a scientific, as 

 well as a practical farmer. Science would render practice easier 

 and more interesting. 



It is sometimes found that apparently worn out lands, are not so 

 much exhausted as they appear, and by a right application of means 

 they are comparatively easily reclaimed ; and he is thus aided in his 

 operations, and knows how to profitably invest money. I think that 

 a large majority of farms, at least in the northern counties of 

 Maine, are of this class. 



For instance, a succession of the same crop may have exhausted 

 the soil of more or less of the elements necessary to sustain and 

 mature such crops, and still retain the necessary elements to grow 



