SECRETARY'S REPORT. 39 



too rapid and destructive fermentation. Sand can be used 

 freely without any of these bad effects. It prevents, more than 

 anything else, the collection of lice in the stables ; it keeps the 

 hair and skin of the cattle in good condition, and makes the 

 best compost for heavy lands that can be found. For retaining 

 the moisture, preserving manure from heating, and preparing it 

 for introduction into cold and clayey soils, it is unequalled. 



Cattle should be turned to grass pretty early in the spring, — 

 before the grass becomes so luxuriant and succulent as to load 

 their digestive organs with an excess of fermenting juices and 

 to produce an excessively laxative effect upon the bowels. The 

 change from one kind of food to another is, in this way, too 

 great ; and it requires many weeks for the animal to regain the 

 tone of the stomach, which has been thus disturbed. It may not 

 be best for the pastures, but it certainly is for the cattle, that 

 they should be turned upon. them as early in the spring as the 

 weather will permit. They are thus prepared for the abundant 

 feed of early summer, and will occupy this time in taking on 

 fat instead of regaining their health. 



Sheep, like cattle, should be wintered with care as regards 

 feed, and with more exposure. Colts should not be confined in 

 warm stables, nor allowed any other food than the best hay, 

 with a few roots, until four years old, if you would have them 

 hardy and vigorous, and not feeble and weedy. With these few 

 hints on animals, I pass to the land and crops. 



Never try to cultivate a piece of land that is saturated with 

 water until you have drained away that water, and as you value 

 your future comfort and profits, do no not be led into using 

 stone drains when tiles can be furnished within any reasonable 

 distance. 



The crops to be raised depend very much upon your locality. 

 I suppose grass is the most profitable crop on most lands. At a 

 distance from the market, and on lightish soils, corn is a good 

 crop to raise, especially where it can be fed with cheap hay, and 

 where the farmer must drive a long distance to obtain it if he 

 does not raise it. 



When corn is easily obtained in the market and hay is dear, 

 roots are a profitable crop. Indeed a moderate supply of roots 

 will be advantageous to cattle feeders everywhere. I have 

 raised two successive years nearly six thousand bushels of roots 



