DIGEST OF, STATE REPORTS. 385 



came down about tho midclle of July, aud Beemed to drop down on my land more than 

 upon auy other farm in that locality. They killed almost every blade of <:;ras3 I had ; 

 my fields looked as if tho fire had gone over them. I was compelled to sell oft" a largo 

 portion of my stock, because I had not sufficient fodder to keep them through the fall 

 and winter. I did not care so much for the loss of my stock and cereal crops as I did 

 for my acnis of gras?. My object was then to get my fields back again, and I had the 

 greatest success in this way. I commenced sowing grass-seed in the fall ; sowed some 

 in September. This started well and grew well. We had an average winter, but still 

 it killed out in the spring. I found before this that the greatest trouble was in getting 

 a catch — seeding my land down to grass. My idea was to experiment until I could find 

 some way by which I would be sure of success every time. Tho result has been in favor 

 of either harrowing my ground, if it is very mellow, in tho fall, pulverizing it very 

 nicely, or plowing it aud then harrowing it well, then putting on the roller, letting it 

 remain until very early in the spring — if the snow is on the ground, I do not know as 

 it makes any difference — and then sowing my grass-seed. In this way Lhave always 

 succeeded iu getting, I might say, more than a catch. At first I got too much, and 

 I found it best not to sow more than two-thirds tho amount of seed usually sown 

 with the grain in the spring. * * * Until within a few years I have plowed or 

 harrowed in my dressing, but now I use top-dressing. I had a piece of land, perhaps 

 an acre and a half, that seemed to be drowned out badly. I plowed up about two-thirds 

 of it, planted it with beans and corn tho first year; should judge I put on fifteen loads 

 of manure to the acre ; I then seeded it down with herds-grass, clover, and red top. 

 The other third of the piece I concluded I would not plow, and I do not think I cut 

 over fifteen hundred-weight of hay to the acre on it ; but late in the fall I hauled on 

 not more than six or eight loads of manure to the acre, left it in small heaps, and 

 spread it very early iu the spring. It was very fine after being frozen through the 

 winter, aud I spread it very evenly. The first year I had about a ton to tUfe aero ; but 

 for the last four years I am satisfied that I have cut two tons and a half to the acre 

 on that piece, while upon the other part that I dressed with more than twice the labor 

 and with the expense of seeding it anew, I have not received over two-thirds, if I have 

 one-half, that amount of hay. I am experimenting with other pieces with about the 

 same success. My land is principally flat and gravelly, with not much clay, but con- 

 siderable muck. I have top-dressed in the fall, and I cannot see any benefit from-it. I 

 have come to the conclusion that spreading manure immediately after haying, and 

 allowing it to dry up in the hot sun, is a useless waste of labor. 



In his report of " the transactions of the State Pomolo^ical Society 

 during the second year of its existence," the secretary says : 



The work of the first year, including the winter meeting of January, 1874, was of a 

 preliminary character and devoted chiefly to organization, laying out of work for 

 the future, and devising means for the accomplishment of specific objects and for 

 running the machinery of the society with the least possible expense and friction. 

 Among the oljjects which tho society has prominently in view are the following: To 

 develop and systematize tho pomology of the State ; to fix reliable and standard lists 

 of varieties of fruits adapted to the ditierent sections, by the aid of which the beginner 

 may avoid the loss of his time aud moaeyin planting unsuitable varieties upon the 

 recommendation of itinerant vendors ; to ascertain aud disseminate the knowledge of 

 the principles and processes essential to successful cultivation ; to develop the capac- 

 ities of the State to raise not only its own fruit, but its fruit-trees also, affording a sur- 

 plus of both for exportation, instead of importing vast quantities of each, as at present ; 

 to obtain and publish accurate annual statistics, showing tho condition and progress of 

 this important interest. * * * The efforts of the society have already awakened a 

 new and deeper interest in fruit-growing both in the orchard and nursery. Improved 

 varieties of fruite and better methods of culture are being eagerly sought for ; worthless 

 or unprofitable varieties and methods of doubtful utility have in many instances been 

 discarded ; more numerous aud better exhibitions of fruit have been held than in any 

 Ijrevious year, and the discussion of the various questions connected with fruit-culture, 

 both in tho farmers' meetings and in tho newspajiers, has been more general, more 

 intelligent, and more practical than ever before. 



The IMaine Dairymen's Association was organized at Augusta in April^ 

 1871. The following ofticers were elected: President, Seward Dill; 

 vice-presidents, T. P. Batchelder, William D. Hayden, Frank Buck; 

 secretary, J. W. Lang ; treasurer. Dr. J. W. North, jr. The secretary 

 states that the season of 1871 was one of only average returns to the 

 dairymen. A wet spring gave an abundant supply of grass, but it 

 lacked those rich, nutritious qualities of the highest excellence. A great 

 flow of milk was had through June and July, but the milk yielded less 

 25 A 



