ON THE STATE SOCIETY'S BULL. 137 



the Union. It becomes us, then, to be more saving, and make the 

 most of our resources. The value of peat ashes, compared with 

 wood ashes, has not been ascertained — but peat abounds with us, 

 and a cord of peet will yield more ashes than three cords of wood, 

 if properly prepared and burnt. 



The farmer whose practise has been referred to, has burnt peat 

 toppings, imperfectly dried peat, stumps and sods, for the sake of 

 the ashes, which have been mixed with his compost, and he thinks 

 with decided good effects. When burnt in large heaps there is a 

 quantity of charcoal left, which, in the opinion of many competent 

 judges, is the most valuable of all fertilizers, and as far as our ob- 

 servation goes, it has not been over estimated. It can be made with 

 us as cheap as any where else. An acre of peat will produce four 

 or five hundred cords of fuel ; in our peat meadows we have at our 

 doors mines more valuable than those of California. How rich 

 and how happy would the farmers of our county be, if they would 

 be content to use and enjoy the blessings Heaven has lavished upon 

 them ! 



The Committee will not extend their reaiarks, but the subject of 

 composting manures deserves the attention of farmers, and is sure to 

 reward them for all their efforts. There are many other substances 

 besides peat which are valuable in the compost heap. Let every 

 man improve the means he has, and there will be less occasion for 

 dissatisfaction with our soil and climate, and less disposition for emi- 

 gration. 



For the Committee, 



DANIEL P. KING. 



December, 1849. 



OX THE STATE SOCIETY'S BULL. 



The Committee who had in charge the receiving and disposal of 



the Bull which the Massachusetts Agricultural Society kindly offered 



to the Essex Agricultural Society for their use, until such time as 



they may order him to be returned, went to Lexington on the 18th 



of January last, and selected an Ayrshire Bull, a descendant of the 



18 



