58 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTUKE. 



keep for a length of time is Avell employed, as the intelligent 

 labor of an animal, as of a man, gives the best resnlts. 



In view of the advantages resulting in many instances from 

 underdraining, it is well for us to inquire if we may not witli 

 profit do something by this process to make the wet lands of 

 our farms more productive. If we have not the capital to 

 make extensive and thorough work with tiles, most of us can 

 make a beorinnino; with the small stones that have accumulated 

 during past years ; for these will make a good drain if laid 

 with care. 



There are those who say that on springy land it will pay to 

 drain the whole farm. I think, however, it is not proved as 

 yet, that for common farming the return would exceed the 

 outlay. We are, however, likely to learn from the experi- 

 ments of the gentlemen who, with ample resources, combined 

 with a love for fiirming, are working out for us in Ipswich, 

 Hamilton and West Peal)ody, not to mention other places in 

 the county, so many valuable results in this matter of drain- 

 ing, and also in the application of commercial fertilizers and 

 home-made composts, giving us from year to year the conclu- 

 sions and the data from which they are drawn, thus aiding us, 

 who are unable to enter the field of costly expenditure, to 

 determine what will pay. It is a common custom to sneer at 

 the fanc}^ farming of such men. I think we are under obliga- 

 tion to them for the introduction of fine stock, new crops and 

 the experiments to which I have referred. 



How much of interest is added to our annual shows by the 

 choice animals of these wealthy farmers. Even if we do not 

 care or cannot afford to own such ourselves, yet we enjoy 

 looking at them and judging of their adaptability to our use by 

 the record they make. 



As an illustration of the benefit conferred by this class of 

 farmers in past years upon their neighbors of more limited 

 means, I would cite the introduction of Jersey stock. Nearly 

 every one admits that for dairy purposes they are unequalled, 

 and I find that a grade Jersey will sell for more money than a 

 common cow. It is also much in their favor that for common 

 use, with ordinary care and keeping, the grades are better 

 than the thorouo-hbreds. 



For this improvement in our stock we are indebted to fancy 



