8 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



1st. That early fall seeding without grain should be adopted 

 in practice in preference to seeding in spring. 



2d. That, as a general rule, it is poor economy to take any 

 grain crop either with or immediately preceding the seeding 

 down to grass. That the grass being the ultimate and paying 

 crop, it is bad practice to reduce the land by the draught which 

 a grain crop makes upon it. 



3d. That wherever from any local reason it becomes desir- 

 able to take a crop of spring grain, it is more economical to sow 

 the grain alone in spring, and to plough up the stubble and sow 

 the grass seed alone in the early fall. 



4th. That in cases where it seems desirable to sow grass seed 

 in spring, it is better to sow it alone and let it take its chance, 

 without compelling it to struggle for existence under the disad- 

 vantages of a grain or any other crop. 



5th. That in seeding down in August or early in September 

 we are following nature as to time, and that, unless the ground 

 is already rich and in high condition, it is necessary to give 

 the seed the benefit of an application of manure on or near the 

 surface to which the seed is applied. 



6th. That in the selection of seed for mowing lots and hay, 

 we should choose varieties to mix that blossom at or nearly at 

 the same time, and not mix very early and very late varieties 

 together. 



These propositions are clear and easily understood. I believe 

 their adoption and application in practice upon every farm in 

 Massachusetts would largely increase the grass and hay crop 

 and materially promote the prosperity of our agriculture. 



Among the noticeable features of the year was the visitation 

 of the Epizootic Aphtha, or Foot-and-Mouth Disease, which at 

 the time of my last Report had already appeared at certain 

 points and excited considerable alarm. Fortunately the facts 

 in regard to it soon became known, and prompt action was taken 

 for its suppression. The Report of the Commissioners on Con- 

 tagious Diseases among Cattle, giving a full account of the 

 introduction and spread of the malady, will be found on page 

 244, to which reference is respectfully made. 



