286 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



mindful of, and watchful over its welfare. Let no unjust criti- 

 cisms be allowed to pass with impunity. Let the hands and 

 hearts of the faithful professors and trustees be supported and 

 encouraged, and the time is not far distant when there will be 

 one universal song in favor of the Massachusetts Agricultural 

 College. 



F. F. Fay. 



N. S. Hubbard. 



John Johnson. 



Wm. Knowlton. 



The Report was accepted, when it was voted to take from the 

 table the Essay on the 



MANAGEMENT OF THE DAIRY. 

 A motion to adopt the report led to the following discussion: — 



Mr. Goodman. The report was long and interesting. I 

 understand it is to be published, and until we see it in print we 

 shall not be able to ascertain fully its merits, anjj the objections 

 to it. I believe we all know the system called the Barre system, 

 and the character of the dairy work up there, but there are one 

 or two matters in the report which I should like to inquire 

 about, as they are of considerable importance to us as farmers : 

 one is the length of the flooring for cattle. If I understand Mr. 

 Ellsworth aright he thought the planking for cattle should be as 

 long as the cattle. What length did you give ? 



Mr. Ellsworth. I gave a length of four feet nine inches, or 

 any length so that the whole heft of the animal when down will 

 rest upon it. 



Mr. Goodman. So that the manurial matter will drop off 

 behind. Another point was, Mr. Ellsworth thought there should 

 be a little slope. Is there any necessity for having a slope for 

 cows ? It may be necessary for steers and bulls, but do not 

 cows lie a little better if the planking is level ? 



Mr. Ellsworth. I shouldn't want it to slope towards the 

 head at all, I should prefer to have it slope a little to the rear, 

 I did not give the amount of pitch, except very little. 



Mr. Goodman. I understand you it was better to lay the 

 planks with the grain than across. If laid with the grain I find 



