SECRETARY'S REPORT. 



267 



The proper distribution of this liquid as an economical fertilizer, 

 containing, as it does, most of the valuable salts necessary for the 

 growth of plants, and richer in excrementitious elements than stable 

 manure, is scarcely less in importance than the proper distribution of 

 it as a sanitary measure. 



The aggregate of the crops on the State Farm for the year ending 

 November 30, 1856, as reported by S. N. White, the head farmer, is 

 as follows : — 



Corn, shelled, 



Rye, 



Oats, 



Beans, 



Peas, 



Total, 



Potatoes, 

 Carrots, . 

 Beets, 

 Onions, , 

 Turnips, . 



Total, 



Of English hay, first crop, 



" second crop, 

 Willard's bromus, . 

 Millet, . 

 Meadow hay, . 



Total, . 



4,370 



103 



The crop of hay was the best ever cut on the farm. Guano, 

 Gould's muriate of lime and plaster were applied as a top-dressing. 

 In the fall of 1854, the English mowings were furnished with 

 compost from the barnyard and old reservoir, and spread in the 

 spring. The summer being dry, no special benefit was derived. The 

 heavy snow of last winter, followed by a wet spring, contributed 

 largely to the crop and rendered it difficult to estimate the influence 

 of the special fertilizers used in the spring. 



One-half acre — exhausted — was dressed with 100 pounds of guano, 

 and instead of 300 pounds of hay as heretofore, produced 1,200 



