HOLD FARMERS' INSTITUTES. 



353 



Hingham . 

 Bristol 

 Plymouth . 

 Marslijield . 

 Barnstable . 

 Nantucket . 

 Martha's Vineyard 



IVIr. Pierce. 

 Mr. Vincent. 

 Mr. Goodwin. 

 Mr. CoMiNS. 

 Mr. Baker. 

 Mr. Moore. 

 Mr. Phinney. 



The Report was accepted, and the assignment made accord- 

 ingly. 



Ou motion of Mr. Moore it was 



Voted^ That the agricultural societies receiving the bounty 

 of the Commonwealth be required to arrange and hold not 

 less than three farmers' institutes each year within their 

 limits ; and that the Board will render all the assistance in 

 its power to make such institutes instructive and useful to 

 the public ; and that the Secretary notify the different socie- 

 ties of this vote. 



Professor Goessmann then submitted his Fifth Annual 

 Report on 



THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE SALT-MARSHES IN THE TOWN 



OF MARSHFIELD. 



The dike has been in excellent condition during the past 

 year, and accomplished its purpose in a satisfactory way. 

 The total expenses for repairs in 1877 did not exceed from 

 seventy to eighty dollars. The entire area of the marshes 

 shows, year after year, more decided signs of a progressing 

 decay within its accumulated vegetable matter, in particular 

 in that portion of it which directly underlies the surface- 

 growth. This desired change, which successive wet seasons 

 in preceding years delayed, has apparently been greatly 

 promoted by the dryness of the late summer. The level 

 of the meadows is gradually sinking, and the entire body of 

 the surface-material becomes, for tliis reason, more compact. 

 The old tough sod is in many localities already in a very 

 advanced state of decay, and some of the lands have been 

 ploughed during the late autumn with one horse or ox in 

 the furrow. 



45 



