22 BOAED OF AGRICULTUKE. 



should be a representative of our care and skill. A carefully kept 

 account of the entire process and cost of the production, should be 

 shown for the benefit of others. The producer should be able to 

 tell icliy his article excels. All articles offered for a premium 

 should be thought worthy of a statement by those who oflFer them. 

 The letter and spirit of our laws should be fulfilled. We want to 

 progress out of our present miserably loose, slip-shod, g-uess-work 

 manner of getting along. We want many real home-made, thor- 

 ough, mathematical experiments in the various departments of 

 husbandry. 



In 1858, our Secretary very modestly asked of the farmers, to 

 try but one experiment — that of applying manure variously to one 

 acre of corn. Out of the 100,000 acres of corn planted in the State 

 that year, we have yet to learn that more than a single individual 

 made the trial; yet the subject of 'application of manure,' is a 

 debatable one at our clubs and everywhere. 



Our worthy Ex-President strenuously contends that the hog is a 

 self-sustaining animal ; and he has planted his notions all over the 

 State, and they are of worth in a general way ; but several thor- 

 ough experiments with the animal are still wanted, before farmers 

 will see and feel the full force and beauty of his teachings and profit 

 by them. 



There is a great want of accuracy running all the way through 

 the published experiments touching any question of farming. Men 

 are very liable to leave out something which it is necessary to 

 know in order to substantiate the accuracy of the expenment. 

 Unless experiments are conducted with rigorous accuracy, noting 

 every influencing circumstance, we may in vain expect to accom- 

 plish anything creditable or profitable. 



It is desirable to remedy the present state of things, by instituting 

 a systematic trial of experiments, that shall subserve the upbuild- 

 ing of agricultural science. The best agencies now in existence 

 amongst us, for the promotion of this object, are our agricultural 

 societies ; and to the managers of these associations we will look 

 for some provision for their institution, and for the preparation of 

 suitable formulas for the guidance of experimentalists." 



C. Chambeklain, per order. 

 After discussion by Messrs. Cargill, Cushman, Wasson, Chandler, 

 Anderson, and others, the report was adopted. 



Mr. Dill, for the committee on geological survey, (third topic,) 

 recommended the passage of the following: 



