412 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OP AGRICULTURE. 



local returns warranted the following estimates: Grass, 20 per cent, 

 better than in the year 1872, and 10 per cent, better than an average of 

 four or five years ; and the hay made was regarded as 10 ijer cent, bet- 

 ter in quality than ordinary harvests." Wheat was scarcely an average, 

 but the oat crop was reported 10 per cent, better than usual. Corn was 

 an average ; rye not extra. The other crops in the list of grains and 

 pulse were only fair ; while potatoes, except early varieties, generally 

 advanced 25 per cent, in amount and 50 per cent, in quality. All root 

 crops were extra. In dairy i^roducts, while the quantity of butter and 

 cheese was less, the amount of milk sold was much greater than aver- 

 age. The amount of beef and mutton fattened did not exceed the aver- 

 age, and ijork fell considerably short. Prices of farm products were 

 fair. The se6retary closes his review as follows : 



Thero aro certain old practices that farmers are gradually abandooing, the most im- 

 portant of which seems to be that of plowing and hoeing more than can be well 

 manured or well tilled. New Hampshire farmers are growing more grass and roots 

 and less corn. They can find a greater profit in raising stock or selling hay than in 

 growing wheat, barley, oats, or ludian corn. They are also beginning to adapt their 

 culture to the demands of the market, and are growing more and better fruit, and pro- 

 ducing vegetables for the towns and villages or to feed out to stock. 



Farmers are reading and thinking more. They find 'wisdom in books and in farmers' 

 clubs and agricultural organizations more valuable than that which they inherited 

 from their fathers. They manifest a greater desire to dress the soil, and are more 

 economical of fertilizing material, and are learning to save much that has been accus- 

 tomed to run to waste. This desire hus led them to invest largely in superphosphates 

 and other commercial fertilizers, and to apply them with so little care that now they 

 declare they are losing confidence in them, and reject many articles that are of real 

 value. 



The meetings held by the Board in various sections of the State were 

 generally well attended by the farmers of the vicinity, many of whom 

 participated in the discussion of subjects presented. Papers of more 

 than ordinary interest were read. 



At the meeting at Lancaster, the subject of breeding and rearing 

 neat-stock being under consideration, Mr. Buffum said : 



Everybody concedes the hay crop to be important ; and surely, to all thinking men 

 the stock which consumes the hay and converts it into a fertilizing material — without 

 which tliere can be no considerable vegetable or grain product — cannot bo less so. You 

 may, indeed, have good pastures and fine grass-lands, and yet be exceedingly deficient 

 in valuable stock. To illustrate : By the census seturns it appears that the cattle in 

 Coos county are rated at §28 the head, while in Cheshire county the valuation is $50 

 per head. The average through the State is about 8'55. Hence, it will be seen, you are 

 considerably below the average, and do not add your fair proportion to the aggregate 

 valuation of the commonwealth. The total valuation of stock within the limits of the 

 State is put at about §7,000,000. Now, with proper care in the selection of breeds, 

 and the best methods of rearing and feeding, the people of this county can add at least 

 a million dollars to their valuation in the course of two or three years. You will also 

 increase the amount of hay and grain produced upon your farms, and, by your largely 

 increased manurial products, not only koop up the fertility of your fields to the present 

 standard, but render them still more productive. The more manure, .and the better its 

 quality, the greater the amount of hay, grain, com, and other crops to the acre. With 

 the right machine (and in this regard cattle may well be called machines) for convert- 

 ing farm products into nutritious Y>lant-food, you can make your own manures far 

 cheaper than you can buy commercial fertilizers of the manufacturers, who are not 

 always reliable men. Indeed, every ton of hay you raise will bring you a higher 

 price if consumed upon the farm than if sold for money and laid out in superphosphates 

 or other manures. 



Continuing, Mr. BufFum zealously advocated the rearing of only pure- 

 blood stock. His experience and observation had both confirmed him 

 in the opinion that crossing of breeds for any considerable length of time 

 will not pay. Such practice must eventually result in loss of symmetry, 



