52 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



Dr. Jackson, the Geologist, had told him formerly that this was 

 the proper method and that the fertilizing gases rose to the surface. 

 At length it occurred to him that nature might be a good teacher. 

 He observed, and found that she deposited manures on the top of 

 the ground. He tried her plan with great success, and when Dr. 

 Jackson came along again, he confessed to have given up his old 

 theory and adopted a new one. He had great confidence in top- 

 dressing. For trees and vines whose roots reached far down, 

 manure should perhaps be deposited below the surface, but for 

 crops of all kinds it was sufficient to toi3-dress, and work in with 

 the cultivator or harrow. 



Mr. Goodale said there could be no universal rule. Different 

 soils require different modes of culture. The question before us 

 is, whether the general practice among farmers is to cover too 

 deep. Most farmers would cover deeper in sandy than in clayey 

 soils. He thought the general practice had been to cover deeper 

 than is beneficial. He did not think the question was, how to 

 make the land hold out the longest. If a given amount of manure 

 can produce only a given amount of crop, the sooner the return is 

 realized the better. 



The proverb that a nimble sixpence is better than a slow shilling 

 might be oftener applied in agricultural operations with benefit. 



Mr. Wasson spoke upon the resolve relative to permitting stock 

 to enter at fairs for first class premiums for more than one j-ear. 

 He said the usual rule proliibiting this, often operated injuriously. 

 An individual, at great expense, procures a first class animal, and 

 takes the first j^remium. He cannot again enter for it, and conse- 

 quently sells him, and he is taken out of the county and perhaps 

 out of the State. But little benefit is derived from the introduc- 

 tion, and an inferior animal soon takes his place. 



Mr. Palmer thought the rule should be to let animals enter and 

 receive the first premium till a better is found. In his county, 

 by the other rule, they had driven one bull from tlie county which 

 would now be worth $500 a year if he could be obtained. 



Mr. Norton remarked that some people said that it was no use 

 for them to try, if one stock animal was to enter year after year 

 for the first premium. Tliis had been their rule, but they had 

 changed it one year and made the prohibition. The consequence 

 was the loss of a very superior animal. 



Mr. Percival spoke of stock husbandry and the importance of 

 proper selections and care in rearing. Diflercnt breeds have each 



