SECRETARY'S REPORT. 29 



and much cheaper than covered ones. The depth, width and 

 location must vary according to the character of the soil and 

 the situation of the land to be drained. 



" Many and great advantages result from thorough drainage. 

 It warms the soil, supplies air to the roots of plants, promotes 

 absorption of fertilizing substances from the air," improves the 

 quantity and quality of the crops, purifies the atmosphere and 

 thereby promotes health, prolongs life, and greatly enhances 

 the beauty and enlivens the prospect of the farmer's domain. 



The committee would here close their report, by referring 

 those who wish to examine the subject of drainage, to a some- 

 what elaborate article in the Patent Office Report of 185G, and 

 to another, by a different author, in that of 1858, also to remarks 

 of the Secretary of this Board, in his article on the grasses, in 

 his Report of 185G, commencing at the bottom of page 232, and 

 to a valuable treatise on farm drainage, by Henry F. French. 



0. C. Felton, 

 W. G. Lewis, 

 Paoli Lathrop, 



Committee. 



The committee appointed to consider and report upon Cattle 

 Husbandry, sent out the following circular : — 



Sir, — The Massachusetts State Board of Agriculture desires informa- 

 tion upon the subject of Cattle Husbandry, and proposes the following 

 questions to the farmers of the State. 



You would confer a favor and assist the cause of Agriculture, if you 

 would take the pains to answer the questions, and to make such expe^ 

 ments or inquiries as may enable you to answer them more fully. 



You will be kind enough to return your answers in the enclosed 

 envelope, on or before November loth, directed to Charles L. Flint, 

 Secretary of the Board of Agriculture, Boston, Mass., with the name of 

 the subject or subjects upon which you have answered, indorsed thereon. 

 1. What is the breed or grade of cattle mostly kept in your town ? 

 2- Which breed is best adapted to your part of the State, taking into 

 consideration beef, milk, and work ? 

 3. Which breed is best for beef? 



