116 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



March 



hogs, is kept under cover until carted out in the 

 spring, and as long as my crops of corn, oats, 

 potatoes and hay are about double what they 

 used to be under the old system of having the 

 manure scattered about the yard, and the heaps 

 at the windows "under the eaves on the south 

 side of the barn," I think I shall continue the 

 practice of keeping it from sun and rains until 

 wanted for use, or until I am convinced that I 

 am in an error. W. C. White. 



Barre, Vt., Jan. 9, 1859. 



Remarks. — Statements of such practical oper- 

 ations as the above are valuable, and will help 

 to settle the question under discussion. We 

 shall be glad to have Mr. WHITE still further 

 aid us in settling it. 



THE OLD MASSACHUSETTS SOCIETY. 



The Transactions of the Massachusetts Society 

 for the Promotion of Agriculture have been laid 

 on our table. 



This time-honored Society has now been stead- 

 ily and diligently pursuing the #>ject for which 

 it w-as established, for sixty-six years. Associated 

 in its labors, have been from the beginning, some 

 of the most talented, philanthropic and patriotic 

 men in our Commonwealth. This society is be- 

 lieved to be the third in order of time, formed, 

 established and endorsed, (in any part of the 

 •world) to promote the cause of agriculture, and 

 has never lost sight of its object. It has been 

 chiefly sustained, and its funds furnished by the 

 "merchant princes and solid men" of Boston, 

 •who have been as fully awake to the importance 

 of agriculture to the prosperity of the Common- 

 wealth, as any other class of its citizens. They 

 were the first to take into consideration the low 

 state of agriculture in the State, and to associ- 

 ate themselves and procure from the Legislature 

 an act of incorporation for its promotion. They 

 have held monthly meetings and devoted unstint- 

 ed labor to the object. They have initiated a 

 large proportion of the improvements and insti- 

 tutions to which the State is now indebted for 

 the advanced condition of its agriculture. We 

 will now enumerate a few of them. 



In 1801, Fairs for the sale of stock were pro- 

 posed by them, ■which were the origin of the 

 present fairs held at Cambridge and Brighton. 



In 1802, Merino sheep were introduced into 

 the State, under their auspices. 



In 180-1, the Botanic Garden at Cambridge 

 owned its establishment to their efforts, and was 

 sustained in part by their funds for several years. 



In 1808, they offered $1000 in premiums for 

 ■various agricultural and mechanical improve- 

 ments. 



In 1809, they imported a plow, which, with 

 the premiums they subsequently oflfered, awak- 



ened an interest in the improvement of this the 

 most important implement in agriculture. 



In 1813, an agricultural journal was issued 

 under their supervision, which was continued sev- 

 eral years, and contained a large number of val- 

 uable papers, and was not discontinued till agri- 

 cultural newspapers were ready to supply its 

 place. 



In 1814, they gave the first premium to a straw- 

 cutter and threshing-machine. 



In 1816, the Society held its first Cattle Show 

 at Brighton. In the same year they gave vari- 

 ous premiums for agricultural machines, and im- 

 ported two Alderney bulls and two cows. 



In 1817, they established the first plowing- 

 match ever held in the State, and which led to 

 their establishment throughout the State. 



In 1819, they imported wheat and turnip seed 

 from France and millet from Russia. 



In 1821, they offered $2000 in premiums for 

 stock, farms, farm products and implements. 



In 1823, they offered large premiums for farms, 

 and introduced the mangold-wurtzel and ruta- 

 baga. 



In 1824, they procured a Hereford bull and 

 heifer. 



In 1825, a Yorkshire stallion and mare. 



In 1835, they imported at large expense, an 

 Ayrshire bull and three cows. 



In 1845, they imported specimens of Devon 

 stock. 



In 1850, they imported more Alderney stock. 



For the present year they have offered $1000 

 for the best plantation of forest trees suitable 

 for ship timber, of five acres, and $500 for the 

 best conducted farm. 



During this long period, they have aided by 

 their funds and influence the several county so- 

 cieties, all w^hich may be considered the legiti- 

 mate oflfspring of this venerable parent. The Mid- 

 dlesex Society, the oldest of the flourishing fami- 

 ly, owes its origin to a circular addressed to sever- 

 al gentlemen in the interior of that county by this 

 Society, and the rest have been born in regular 

 succession. Since the county societies have es- 

 tablished annual fairs all over the State, the Mas- 

 sachusetts Society has ceased its annual exhibi- 

 tions, and approi^riated its funds to the difl"usion 

 of information, the importation of stock and 

 other measures designed to promote agriculture 

 throughout the State, and especially such mea- 

 sures as would not be likely to be undertaken 

 by the county societies. Its action for the few 

 years last past has not brought its officers so di- 

 rectly into personal contact with the farming pop- 

 ulation of the State, as formerly. As its move- 

 ments occupy a smaller space in public, and make 

 less show and parade, some have been led to in- 

 fer that it is falling into its dotage. But '«'e are 



