148 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



sented a good essay on each topic handed in ? I would have 

 premiums liberal ; fifty dollars would not be too much ; a half 

 dozen subjects or more. The rule adopted may read as follows : 

 — The person who shall write and present to the secretary be- 

 fore (date) the best essay upon any one of the topics proposed 

 by the society, shall be entitled to the premium designated for 

 that subject, and to have his essay printed in the Transactions of 

 the society, provided, it shall not be accepted, if judged defi- 

 cient in merit, and provided, also, that not more than two pre- 

 miums shall be awarded in one' year. Should more than two 

 essays of sufficient merit, upon different topics, be presented 

 any one year, the same may be held over by the secretary to 

 another year, and be deemed as essays of that year. 



I append a list of subjects that seem to me useful for prize 

 essays : — 



1. For an approved report or essay upon farm fences, giving 

 details of cost, permanence and general efficacy. By fence 

 shall be understood any means of enclosing ground. 



2. For an approved report or essay upon the advantages to be 

 expected from top-dressing land in grass, and the comparative 

 advantage, if any, of this system above frequent re-seeding. 



3. For an approved essay upon farm architecture. The 

 writer is expected to bear in mind the exigencies of our agri- 

 culture and that his readers will be South Middlesex farmers.* 



4. Cooperative farming or mutual help in production and 

 sales. 



5. On soiling and pasturing. This essay, it is expected, will 

 embody the experience of some one with whom the subject is 

 familiar. 



6. On pastures and woodlands ; would it b3 well to diminish 

 our pasturage area to increase the area in forest ? 



Subjects fifth and sixth may be treated as one, if desired, or 

 separately. 



* The author's idea it is expected will be illustrated by suitable drawings. It is sug- 

 gested here that any plan which shall not combine maximum of utility with minimum of 

 cost cannot be approved. 



