No. 6. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 457 



taining best returns from such soils as they possess and too fre- 

 quently by misdirected efforts endeavor to obtain something from 

 nothing. 



Notwithstanding the great quantities of insoluble plant food in 

 most soils, it is of little use to the present day farmer, and a mislead- 

 ing theory in science because available to the chemist with strong 

 acids and intense heat. Vegetation possesses only to a very slight 

 extent the power to obtain what is required from insoluble consti- 

 tuents present in the soil. 



The soil which engages our attention as farmers is composed of 

 an admixture of minerals, decayed vegetable matter, together with 

 the remains of animal creation, in the surface soil of sand and clay 

 in various proportions, during long periods of time when oceans 

 swept over the present surface and again exposed to the elements, 

 fitted conditions for plant and animal life. 



That the amount of animal matter incorporated in time must be 

 considerable, yielding phosphoric acid by perished animals on land 

 and in seas, with that of prehistoric races which may have existed 

 in the past, being again restored to the elements from which they 

 were derived. That long, wiggling slender creature usually con- 

 sidered useful as bait for fishes and food for birds, has and con- 

 tinues to perform a great feat in digesting vegetable matter in our 

 soils, besides adding its own remains, after working over tons of 

 materia] in the ."round, and it is well known that a soil abounding 

 in angle worms is a sure indication of fertile ground. 



On motion, duly seconded, the Report of the Mineralogist was re- 

 ceived, and filed. 



On motion, duly seconded, the reports of Col. H. C. Demming 

 and Mr. W. H. Stout, Geologists, were received and filed. 



Mr. Sexton, Chairman of the Committee appointed to call on the 

 Governor, reported that the Committee had performed its duty, and 

 that the Governor could not be present until this afternoon at half- 

 past four. 



Dr. Tower presented the Report of the Executive Committee which 

 was accepted. (See page S.) 



The SECRETARY: Mr. Chairman, we have with us Mr. Cook, of 

 New York, and I would suggest that he take the next period. I do 

 not think a motion is necessary; if there is no objection, you might 

 announce that that would be the order. Y\ T e do not mean by this 

 to cut out any of those other reports; they can come in a little later, 

 we hope. 



The following subject was discussed by Mr. Cook: 



BARN CONSTRUCTION AND SANITATION. 



BY H. E Cook, Denmark, N. Y. 



Mr. Chairman, and Gentlemen of the State Board: I want to say 

 by way of introduction and preface, that this is the first oppor- 

 30 



