STATE REPORTS OF AGRICULTURE. 489 
seldom lost a sheep where several hundred were kept, though ail their 
neighbors had lost many. Half-starved dogs, however, will kill sheep 
either with or without bells. 
Connecticut formerly did a large business in raising first-class horses, 
but latterly its best horses have been raised in other States. The heavy 
truck horses are brought from Pennsylvania, large carriage horses from 
Ohio, and light roadsters from Vermont, Canada, and other places. 
Horse dealers say Connecticut has been raising the poorest horses of 
late years of any State in the Union. To regain its former position 
in this business full-blooded stallions must be used, and better breeding 
mares. ‘There is a hundred dollars’ difference between the value of 
high-bred colts and ordinary ones, when two or three years old. Farm- 
ers have begun to see this, and a very decided improvement is taking 
place. They pay more attention to the breed of their mares and the 
selection of stallions, and are more careful of their colts. 
Mr. J. G. Stoddard, of Newington Junction, says that, in training colts, 
tact is as necessary as in rearing children. A yearling colt may become 
accustomed te the locomotive, umbrella, wheelbarrow, and other objects, 
and after being once convinced by touch or smell that no harm comes 
from them, he remembers; and all such matters of education tend to 
make him a safe horse ever after. A colt that was accustomed to run 
from his stable to the yard through a narrow door one day struck his 
hip against a door-jamb, and ever after was afraid of doors. Animals 
that think and remember, as the horse, need great care and precaution 
in management. He is an intelligent animal, and in proportion as he is 
well treated wili he be subservient to all demands on his labor. 
We observe with regret, by a note at the close of the report, that the 
State Board of Agriculture was abolished by resolution of the general 
assembly, July 21, 1870. The entire expense of the board during the 
four years of its existence has been but a littie over $13,000, including 
the cost of 12,000 volumes of their excellent reports that have been dis- 
tributed throughout the State. In the opinion of these best qualified 
to judge, Professor Johnson’s analyses of the commercial fertilizers 
found in their markets is alone worth more to the farmers of the State 
than the whole expense of the board. We have no doubt that a reor- 
ganization will soon be effected on a more liberal basis. 
There are sixteen county and town societies that appear to be in a 
flourishing condition. 
MASSACHUSETTS. 
The Seventeenth Annual Report of the secretary of the Massachusetts 
Board of Agriculture, Charles L. Flint, makes a volume of six hundred 
and fifty pages, and gives a comprehensive view of the agriculture of the 
State. lt embraces the report of the committee on contagious diseases 
among cattle, the discussions and addresses at the public meetings of the 
board, abstracts of returns from county secieties, and essays on various 
subjects connected with the pursuits of the farmer and fruit-grower. 
The financial condition of the State and County societies is very satis- 
factory, their permanent funds amounting to $272,225 59; their real and 
personal estate, less their indebtedness, $355,582 33; receipts of the year, 
$135,245 11; total disbursements, $120,981 31, including $30,734 for 
premiums and gratuities. 
In a discussion on mineral manures, Colonel Wilder remarked that 
there is nothing so much wanted on the old soils of New England, that 
have been long under cultivation, as potash. He considered ashes, at 50 
cents a bushel, the cheapest manure for any crop. On orchards it hasa 
