6 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



the past year has seen a notable change of feeling in regard 

 to this rule. 



The institutes have stimulated a spirit of inquiry, given 

 opportunity for the exchange of thought and experience, 

 spread knowledge, and awakened enthusiasm. In some coun- 

 ties the meetings held in large halls have been crowded, and, 

 instead of three, as demanded by the rule of the Board, 

 frequent institutes have been held. 



This method of agricultural education and means of prog- 

 ress has imposed greatly increased labor upon the secretary 

 of the Board in adding to the correspondence of his office, 

 and demanding his occasional presence in each county of 

 the Commonwealth. Members of the Board of Agriculture 

 have done active service in this direction, cheerfully giving 

 their time to assist the jiroceedings of the institutes. 



HAY, FODDER, AND ENSILAGE. 



Well-enriched land stocked down to grass is the most 

 important property of our farms. Upon such land we never 

 fail to secure a fair crop of hay ; and its value, whether to 

 feed or to sell, is as near a certainty as any human calculation 

 can be. The belief that our grass-lands will amplv repay 

 frequent ploughing and seeding, the removal of useless divis- 

 ion-walls and fences, the smoothing of fields to allow free 

 course to the convenient implements in general use, early 

 Cutting, less drying, reliable information in regard to weather, 

 are causes that have conjoined to increase the certaint}'^ and 

 profit of our staple crop. 



In 1875 we cut 671,131 tons of hay. The average price 

 that year was low; and the crop was valued, in the figures 

 of the census, at 810,GG0,228. 



The improved land of 1880 exceeds the tax assessment of 

 1875 by 27,633 acres. This indicates a large relative increase 

 of mowing-land. The first crop of the past year, owing to a 

 dry spring, fell below the average, but was saved at light 

 expense in excellent condition. The later season was 

 cheered by timely rains, and from good lands remarkable 

 crops of rowen were secured. 



The custom of growing fodder to be used green, to assist 

 the summer pastures, is much favored by the best dair3'men. 



In 1875 the value of forage crops was estimated at 

 $218,669. 



