268 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



tions without it ; but a few words in closing, on its proper 

 application, may not be inappropriate. In the last course of 

 which I have been speaking, it is supposed that manui-e is 

 applied to both of the hoed crops ; that is to say, in the first 

 and third year. In both instances it should be ploughed in ; 

 because, in the first year, if so applied, it helps materially in 

 the decomposition of the sod, and so promotes the growth of 

 the crop ; and, in the third year, if it is buried with the plough, 

 it will be brought to the surface again the next spring, well 

 fitted to be used by the grass seeds. Much of our land pays 

 well for manuring in the hill, in addition to what is ploughed 

 in. All cold lands, especially, need this, in order to give the 

 corn a vigorous start. Ashes and plaster answer well for this 

 purpose, used upon an inverted swai^d ; but if corn is grown 

 as a third crop, it is better to use the compost. In laying 

 down lands to grass, great good would result from the use of 

 ashes, plaster, and perhaps lime. 



I close, here, not because the subject is exhausted. My ob- 

 ject has been to excite inquiry and improvement in this branch 

 of our profession. 



STOCK. 



MASSACHUSETTS. 

 Report of the Trustees. 



The sole purpose and object, for some years past, has been 

 the improvement of stock. In the opinion of the trustees of 

 this society, it is desirable that practical farmers should be 

 duly impressed with the importance of raising breeds of neat 

 cattle, with a special object ; either for the dairy, for draught, 

 beef, or any other desirable purpose, and that they should be 

 convinced tliat the given object in each case cannot well be 

 secured, without great care in selecting the finest animals for 

 breeding. While well aware that fine specimens of animals of 

 this description arc often found in what is called our native 



