MASS. BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 403 



If. therefore, we desire to retain the young farmers of our Com- 

 monwealth. — the future pride and support of the State, — we 

 must place within their reach the means of producing a result 

 so desirable. 



Similar advances may be realized by the application of sci- 

 ence in the improvement of our cattle, horses, swine, ^c, and 

 in the saving and scientific application of manures. 



Take an example : — 



We have 150,000 cows in this Commonwealth. Suppose 

 science enable these, or improved breeds, to yield one addi- 

 tional quart of milk per day ; this, at three cents per ^uart, 

 would increase the productive capital of the State, ^4,500 per 

 day, or $1,642,500 per year; or, if two quarts per day, a gain 

 of more than three million dollars annually. 



We have 70,000 horses in the State, and which might, by a 

 better knowledge of the principles of breeding, be improved so 

 as to command at least fifty dollars each, more than they are 

 worth at present; this would increase their value three millions 

 and five hundred thousand dollars. Who doubts that with a 

 better understanding of the laws of agricultural chemistry, and 

 the proper adaptation of crops and manures to the soil; that our 

 cereal grains might be increased ten bushels to the acre, with- 

 out additional expense ? This would add several millions of 

 dollars to the present amount of products. 



Doubtless these results can be attained, or science is a chi- 

 mera, and all the laws of animal and vegetable physiology a 

 delusion. 



It is susceptible of proof that the loss of manure in the Com- 

 monwealth, by misapplication and waste, is more than two 

 millions of dollars per year. Now suppose this enormous loss 

 were appropriated scientifically, who can estimate the additions 

 which it would make to the products of the soil ? 



We need information in all these branches of husbandry. 

 We have materials, but they need system ; they need the en- 

 couragement and patronage of government. We make no ob- 

 jections to what the Commonwealth has done for educational 

 and charitable purposes. Our Common School Fund now 

 amounts to nearly a million of dollars; but great as are the 



