MANURES. 233 



of the sanguine clement, on the day when the monarchs of 

 Europe battled for their crowns. Wheat and rye fields still 

 cover the extended area, and the grain roots are still stimu- 

 lated by the best blood of the sons of France and England. 



But time, and your space will not allow me to extend the 

 subject. I did not design to attempt method or detail in what 

 I might present in this communication, but simply to group 

 together a few facts, from which our husbandmen may derive 

 useful hints and suggestions. I may, perhaps, present the 

 results of my observations in a more extended manner, through 

 another channel of communication, if, upon consideration, it is 

 thought advisable. 



Very truly yours, 



James R. Nichols. 



Haverhill, Noyember 8, 1856. 



HAMPSHIRE. ' 



Report of the Committee. 



Of the three main branches of agriculture, the treatment of 

 the crops, soils, and manures, less is known, perhaps, with cer- 

 tainty concerning the latter, than either of the others. Although 

 the general effect of manures is unquestionable, their specific 

 action is involved in obscurity. 



The subtle processes by which substances, in themselves worth- 

 less and oftentimes offensive, are converted into forms of living 

 beauty and utility, taking place as they do under conditions that 

 elude our keenest observation ; it is only by the slow process of 

 trial, experiment and generalization, that we are able to arrive 

 at any definite results on this important subject. Much has 

 already been done in this way, particularly in regard to compost 

 manure ; and your committee take this opportunity to say, that 

 while they value every practical exhibition of the importance of 

 these manures, they have not the vanity to suppose that, after 

 the thorough treatment the subject has received at the hands of 

 our agricultural chemists, any crude thoughts of theirs would 

 be entitled to consideration. 



There was but one claimant for the premium on compost 



30 



