486 BOARD OF AiiRICULTURE. 



ments of the clover crop. This crop causes a large accumulation 

 of nitrogenous matters, which are gradually changed in the soil 

 into nitrates. The atmosphere thus furnishes nitrogenous food to 

 the succeeding wheat indirectly, and, so to say, gratis. 



10. Clover not only provides abundance of nitrogenous food, 

 but delivers this food in a readily available form (as nitrates) more 

 gradually and continuously, and consequently with more certainty 

 of a good result, than such food can be applied to the land in the 

 shape of nitrogenous spring top-dressings. 



CONCLUSION. 



Several papers which it was proposed to include in this report 

 are omitted, and among them one on Farmers' Clubs. Present 

 appearances indicate that the action, of the Board of Agriculture 

 at itw session in January last, requiring County Societies to en- 

 courage the formation of these simple and effective aids to pro- 

 gress, will accomplish great good. 



The benefits arising from these are many and varied. Farmers 

 are, necessarily, more isolated than those engaged in other indus- 

 trial callings. Hence whatever furnishes to them, even in limited 

 measure, the advantages of cooperation must be of great service. 

 These Clubs bring them together and afford rare facilities for ex- 

 change of the results of experience and observation. They 

 awaken desires for careful experience and closer observation ; for 

 increase of practical and scientific knowledge. They educate, in 

 the true sense of the term— drawing forth, developing and nour- 

 ishing the faculties of those who participate. The social element 

 is encouraged ; and, look at them in whatever aspect we may, their 

 usefulness is apparent. At the same time they operate effectually 

 toward supporting and strengthening the higher and more com- 

 prehensive organizations for the promotion of agriculture. 



It is not too much to say that these Clubs sustain a relation to, 

 and perform a function for agriculture among us similar to that of 

 the primary town meetings for the government of our country. 



1 beg leave to suggest the need of a revision of the law under 

 which State bounty is distributed to the several agricultural socie- 

 ties. When chapter 137 of the laws of 1862 was enacted, its 

 provisions sufficed to meet all cases then existing, as well as those 



