136 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



the atmosphere and the soil, which is ordinarily present in the 

 climate of England. Every observing farmer knows that 

 grasses grown on our low, reclaimed swamp lands, for instance, 

 make less milk, and less flesh and fat in animals, than the same 

 species grown on our dry, upland soils. The same, difference 

 must exist, to some extent, between our grasses and the grasses 

 grown in a comparatively moist climate, where they have the 

 advantage of more frequent rains, which push them to a more 

 complete development and give them greater luxuriance, in- 

 creasing, of course, the quantity of their produce, while their 

 quality cannot be improved in the points alluded to. This sub- 

 ject will come more properly under discussion in treating of the 



INFLUENCE OF THE SEASONS. 



We now come to consider the influence Avliich the season or 

 the climate has upon the quantity and nutritive qualrty of grass. 

 Before entering upon this topic, it is proper to remark, that in 

 order to bring together the practical wisdom and judgment of 

 some of the best farmers in the State, as well as to be able to 

 present some statistical information in regard to the product of 

 grass and hay for the past season, I directed the following 

 circular to one or more farmers in every town in Massachusetts, 

 asking for rejjlies from each. 



BoAKD OF Agriculture, State House, ) 

 Boston, Sept. 1, 1856, ) 



Dear Sir : — Will you have the goodness to reply to the following 

 inquiries in reference to the grass and hay crop of your town, accord- 

 ing to the best of your judgment and experience ? If circumstances 

 prevent your giving it personal attention, will you be kind enough 

 to put it into the hands of some one interested in the subject in your 

 neighborhood, who will do me the favor to answer it ? 



1. What was the estimated yield of grass and hay in your town 

 this season, as compared with others ? If above or below the aver- 

 age, how much ? 



2. What, in your opinion, is the effect of a wet or a dry season on 

 the quality of grass and hay ? Is grass grown in the shade as good 

 as that grown in the sun, and what is the difference ? 



[This question embraces tlie intrinsic value of liay tliis season as compared with the crops of 

 1854 and 1855, both comparatively dry seasons, while this has been unusually wet in most parts of 

 the State.] 



