208 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



of green barn manure. That added, of course, to the growth 

 of the crop, but the same difficulty was found to exist this year. 

 It was fine, and hard to cut. I have now covered it with fine 

 sand, which I think will be of more effect than manure, for 

 land in the condition whicii that is in. 



It seems to me, sir, that that point, the application of the 

 proper manures to particular soils, and the application of various 

 soils as manure to other soils — is one that is not sufficiently 

 dwelt upon by us, or sufficiently considered by farmers. I 

 have had the same experience as Mr. Johnson in regard to 

 putting peat upon uplands. I find it is better to put on even 

 the poorest peat, and let the sun and air act upon it, rather 

 than not put on any at all. 



It seems to me that something might be said with regard to 

 the formation of compost heaps, so universally recommended. 

 I know it is dangerous to say anything which may be misunder- 

 stood, with regard to composting, but I think the matter is 

 generally misunderstood. My experience with regard to com- 

 post heaps — I mean, composting barn manure with peat — has 

 led me to the conclusion that it is altogether useless work ; 

 that with the present cost of labor in this country, and more 

 especially in this portion of the country, it does not. pay. I 

 have come to the conclusion, that next to top-dressing, which 

 on most soils is the cheapest mode of manuring, the application 

 •of green manure, ploughed in, and peat ploughed in, leaving 

 the composting to be done by the action of nature, is just as 

 effectual as the formation of compost heaps, with the recom- 

 mendations of which the agricultural papers are filled. It 

 seems to me we do not discriminate enough, and that one-half 

 the compost heaps recommended are a mere loss of time. 



Adjourned, to meet at 3 o'clock. 



AFTEENOON SESSION. 



The Board met at the hour appointed, Mr. Hyde in the chair, 

 and the subject of Drainage was announced as the topic for 

 discussion. 



DRAINAGE. 



Mr. Brown. As I hinted this morning, in some remarks 

 which I made here, this subject of drainage is one of great 

 importance to us as farmers, and one of exceeding interest to 



