76 ESSEX SOCIETY. 



In expressing their approbation of the papers presented, they 

 would not be understood as endorsing all the statements or 

 theories contained. These must stand or fall upon their own 

 merits, or upon the credit of their authors ; — but simply the 

 general scope and execution. A prime quality in an essay, is 

 close adherence to the subject, together with a complete com- 

 prehension of it. An address may speak of matters and things 

 in general ; an essay should be limited to the subject under dis- 

 cussion, and should, as far as possible without being diffuse, 

 give a complete view of it. Several of the essays heretofore 

 approved by the Trustees, have been models worthy of imita- 

 tion. And if we do not mistake, those now presented will be 

 read with much interest and instruction. 



For the committee, 



J. W. PROCTOR. 



Essay on Top Dressings for Mowing and Pasture Lands. 



Bt Charles L. Flint. 



Some soils must, from their nature, be kept in perpetual 

 grass. Such are rough pastures, rocky hills, and low lands 

 subject to frequent overflows. Stiff" clay soils, too, require an 

 amount of labor in tilling, wholly disproportioned to the re- 

 turns they yield. But these, if properly managed, may be 

 made as productive, or nearly so, as the finer loams. Steep 

 hills cannot be ploughed to advantage, since the best parts of 

 the soil are washed away. Other lands, from their situation 

 about the house or the cottage, cannot conveniently be tilled. 

 It becomes, then, a question of much practical importance to 

 many, how these lands are to be improved ? A course of in- 

 teresting experiments which have come under our observation, 

 have induced us to throw out the following hints, hoping they 

 may be of use to those practical men who have not the time or 

 the inclination to attempt doubtful experiments. 



The difficulties which attend this subject arise from the ne- 

 cessity of using more or less of scientific terms in explaining 



