SECRETARY'S REPORT. 81 



the manure on the surface, in autumn, for a corn crop ? The 

 other is : Would you plough sward land in the spring and turn 

 under the manure for a corn crop ? 



Mr. TiDD. — It seems to me that the diversity of opinion in 

 respect to this matter arises, in some measure, from the 

 differences in soil. 



Dr. LoRiNGc — I proposed the questions with the express pur- 

 pose of having some explanation of that sort go with the dis- 

 cussion. I am satisfied that each gentleman would vote on 

 these questions according to the character of the soil he is called 

 upon to cultivate. 



Mr Bull. — The question, even in the simple form in which it 

 has been presented, involves so many considerations of soil and 

 climate, heat and moisture, and succeeding crops, that I would 

 rather have it laid over for future consideration than to take a 

 vote upon it now. 



Dr. Hartwell. — I should rather object to this Board of Agri- 

 culture undertaking to decide as to the best method of applying 

 manure, and have it circulated through the Commonwealth for 

 the farmers to follow, perhaps to their disadvantage. It seems 

 to me we should hesitate until we have further light. We are 

 not prepared, now, to make so important a decision. 



The questions proposed by Dr. Loring were laid on the table, 

 and the meeting adjourned till afternoon. 



Afternoon Session. — The Board met at two o'clock, and 

 took up the subject of the 



improvement of pasture lands. 



Mr. Anderson, of Shelburne, was called upon to open the 

 discussion. He said : I came here with no expectation of giving 

 my experience. It is true that grass-growing and stock-raising, 

 which are intimately connected, are the principal objects of my 

 labor, the things I take the greatest interest in, and, in fact, that 

 I profess to know the most about, but to give my views, unac- 

 customed as I am to speaking, will be difficult. 



Some thirty years ago I commenced farming. Formerly I 



was engaged in teaching, but my health failed, and my physician 



told me I must seek some other employment. I accordingly 



left, and went on a farm. At first, I was not able to labor more 



11* 



