106 T^IASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



Hence the difference in the two farmers, — the one having 

 some knowledge of the composition of soils, and knowing just 

 how to apply manures and fertilizers, has made at least one 

 movement towards "successful farming," while the other, hav- 

 ing only a vague knowledge, or no knowledge at all of either, 

 has made a similar step in the opposite direction ; and thus it 

 is that farmers have yet much to learn as to the nature of soils, 

 the value of manures and fertilizers, and the way in which 

 they should be applied to different soils and to the intended 

 crops. 



In closing, we have simply to say, that we consider our 

 common and high schools defective, inasmuch as they teach 

 comparatively nothing of the natural sciences, which are the 

 basis of sound practical knowledge of things ; and this is what 

 no farmer, be it as it may, with others, can aflbrd to be with- 

 out. Teach our children as much mathematics as we will, 

 and in as many languages as we please, but not until we have 

 given them a well- grounded view of those sciences which they 

 are to practice in after-life. 



Ephraim Geaham, Chairman. 



CEAKBERRIES. 



ESSEX. 



From the Report of the Committee. 



Mr. Hiram A. Stiles, of Middleton, is the only person who 

 claims a premium, under the rules of the Society, for his ex- 

 periment in the cultivation of the cranberry. On the 12th of 

 Sept. , the Committee visited Mr. Stiles, and viewed the grounds 

 on which his experiments have been made. There we found 

 a fine crop of berries, ripe and fit to be gathered. This was 

 a very favorable time to view his crop, and to learn the result 

 of his experiments. His method of preparing the ground for 

 the planting of vines has been varied on different parts of his 

 meadow, and the results have been different. Upon that part 

 to which we were first introduced, he had spread a thick coat 



