80 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



cannot be improved without first draining; and many stubborn 

 facts can be adduced to show that that lies at the bottom of all 

 intelligent practice. 



For the Committee, 



Asa Clement. 



A discussion arose as to the best method of reclaiming peat 

 lands, and the materials most economical for the construction 

 of drains, Messrs.^ Grout, Loring, Davis, Saltonstall, Stock- 

 bridge, and others participating. The report was accepted. 



The delegates appointed to visit the county societies submit- 

 ted reports upon the several exhibitions, all of which were 

 accepted. These reports will be found on a subsequent page, 

 to which reference is respectfully made. 



The Preparation and Application of Manures was taken up 

 for discussion. 



Mr. Stedman stated that he had tried especially to guard 

 against waste, and for this purpose he had constructed a barn- 

 cellar. He makes a practice of mixing the manure of the horse 

 and-cow stables and the piggery, and keeps his fowls confined 

 for the purpose of economizing the manure, giving them meat 

 and oats occasionally. He had had the best results from the 

 use of the compost made in the henery. The oats are given at 

 the rate of four quarts a day for thirty fowls, Some recom- 

 mend the use of sour milk in addition. 



Mr. Saltonstall stated his mode of practice in the use of 

 hard-coal ashes under the hen-roosts and in tlie piggery. He 

 had found this material, after such use, to have a marked and 

 extraordinary effect on fruit trees and evergreens to which he 

 had applied it. 



Mr. Stockbridge alluded to the extensive use of fish guano 

 throughout the valley of the Connecticut, 'and the good, results 

 obtained on the crops. 



Mr. E. W. Stebbins said it had generally failed in Deei'field. 



Dr. Loring thought that manures should not be buried 

 beyond the reach of atmospheric influences. ' 



Mr. Clement did not 'oelieve it judicious for the farmer to 

 have recourse to artificial manures where it could be avoided. 



Dr. Hartwell recommended the sowing of buckwheat on 

 light, poor soils, using guano, from which very good crops had 



