SECRETARY'S REPORT. 199 



headlands, which are generally left to grow up with noxious weeds 

 and send their foul seeds over the entire farm. The result of soil- 

 ing cattle, is the absence of all interior fences, for they are abso- 

 lutely useless. The same author further says, (p. 49,) "Whoever 

 commences the system should begin on a small scale ; experience 

 will show the way to success. The great profit of the system is 

 the abundance of manure which it insures, of the best quality, at 

 the cheapest rate. The importance of manure to successful hus- 

 bandry, it is not for me to explain. Whoever has no funds to 

 purchase it, will find no mode so sure, so cheap, and so easy to 

 obtain it, as the system of soiling." 



As to the proper time for cutting timber for fencing, varioiis 

 opinions prevail. The most correct one, however, seems to be that 

 timber cut late in autumn, will last longer than that cut at any 

 other season. The reason for this is that the new wood has at- 

 tained its maturity ; there is, therefore, less albumen and sap in the 

 wood than at other seasons of the year. Timber for fence would 

 last much longer if it was allowed to get thoroughly seasoned 

 before used for the purpose. 



I have said that poplar rails will last about fifteen years ; but 

 even at this rate, the farmer who owns a large farm with no other 

 material for fences, would be kept busy simply in building and 

 repairing them, for by the time he had completely enclosed his 

 fields, the first erected would need repairing. We want a durable 

 material, which can be obtained at a cheap rate. Wire, I think, 

 with cedar or iron posts, supplies this want. Our farmers must 

 resort to it, when the materials now at hand are found unsuitable, 

 or have been entirely used up. 



VI. — Agkicultural Societies, &c. 



In Somerset county, there are four Agricultural Societies, all 

 earnestly engaged in promoting the advancement of scientific and 

 practical agricultural knowledge. The oldest of these is the East 

 Somerset, incorporated in 1832, which is now located at Hartland. 

 The Somerset Central is the next oldest, having been incorpoated 

 in 1838. For a series of years, the exhibitions of this society were 

 held in dificrent towns, and were thinly attended, but little interest 

 being felt in its operations. In 1856, the society purchased a lot 



