292 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



present day, with which to arouse their flagging energies, for 

 the reason that grandfather and father always kept rum in the 

 house. Is it not true that many of those underground excava- 

 tions, dark, gloomy and loathsome, have all sorts of disagreeable 

 odors ascending therefrom, even the smell of sulphur, remind- 

 ing one of other regions ? "We would treat such plodders with 

 all the respect and consideration to which their position entitles 

 them ; but, at the same time, if they cannot or will not be 

 profited by the example set by their neighbors, a gentle hint 

 may do them good. 



These remarks in relation to thriftless persons who have so 

 much regard for the customs of olden times, gentlemen will 

 readily enough see, are applicable to persons with whom they 

 are acquainted in all sections of the State. That they are 

 exceptions to the general rule, we readily admit, and are thank- 

 ful that the number is not greater. Also, that the remarks are 

 intended for those alone to whom they will apply. 



Good husbandry is understood and practised by much the 

 larger share of our agriculturists. The fact that from nine to 

 twelve dollars per cord is paid for all the stable manure that can 

 be found in the city ; that the night-soil is seized upon with 

 avidity, farmers in many instances paying something for the 

 privilege of clearing vaults, is conclusive evidence that the 

 value of fertilizers is highly appreciated. After all, it is besom- 

 ing a question with many whether paying so much for manure, 

 and freighting the same from two to five miles over hills and 

 through valleys, is not equivalent to buying money and paying 

 a bonus for it. 



Barn-cellars are generally kept well supplied with absorbents 

 in the form of meadow-mud, scrapings from the roadside, soil 

 from old headlands, or other material, which is occasionally 

 thrown under the cattle, thus furnishing a strainer for the liquid 

 droppings, and preventing in large measure the escape of vola- 

 tile fertilizing properties. This constant care and attention to 

 the saving of, and to the purchase of manure must not be 

 remitted where the crops are conveyed to market in the form of 

 vegetables and hay. On milk farms, where the roots and hay 

 are fed to cows, and what is conveyed away from the farm goes 

 in the more concentrated form of milk, less difficulty is exper- 

 ienced in keeping the soil fertile, comparatively so, at least. 



