24 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



pointed the expectations formed of it. This is the price paid 

 for wisdom. But from numerous inquiries we learn that in 

 most cases it has been attended with satisfactory results ; 

 especially upon dry and loose soil. We anticipate a rapidly 

 growing demand for this article, not only because it is more 

 condensed and therefore more easily and uniformly applied 

 than other manures, but also, because it will be found cheaper 

 than any other, taking into account the duration of its influ- 

 ence. It is earnestly to be desired that farmers will keep 

 minute records of their experiments with guano, super-phos- 

 phates, and other concentrated manures, and publish both suc- 

 cesses and failures for the public instruction. More questions 

 have been asked of this committee for information in regard to 

 the character and method of using guano, than in regard to 

 any other, perhaps all other agricultural topics, indicating a 

 wide-spread interest. 



The increased attention paid to farming implements and 

 buildings is very noticeable in almost every direction. The 

 saving of labor and manure, the comfort and growth of cattle, 

 the amount and quality of hay, the preservation of roots, are 

 all facilitated by good farm buildings, to say nothing of what 

 might justify extended notice, the gratification of a pure taste. 



In farmers' families also is seen the influence of good and 

 bad, of convenient and inconvenient buildings — their influence 

 upon the amount of labor, the comfort and happiness and 

 health of the various individuals. We often hear from the 

 housewife, " this kitchen is well contrived to do work in ; or, 

 badly adapted to that end." What a world of difference is 

 here. And how surely must it tell upon the temper and char- 

 acter of those who spend so large a portion of their lives there. 

 Whatever facilitates labor in the house, promotes order, neat- 

 ness and comfort. How these react upon the taste and feelings 

 of the family, does not need to be shown. We have sometimes 

 thought that farmers, whose chief biisiness is out-of-doors, did 

 not always sympathize so much as they should witli their wives 

 and daughters, whose labor is fully as severe as their own. We 

 hope we mistook. At any rate, it is not amiss in us to invite 

 the attention of farmers to sucii an arrangement of their houses 

 and other buildings as will render domestic labor as easy and 

 pleasant as possible. 



