SECRETARY'S REPORT. 209 



ing of the floor of the henciy, I spread upon the surface of the 

 floor flue air-slacked lime, to the depth of two or tlu-ee inches. 

 This lime-covering of the floor insures the double purpose, not 

 only of receiving the droppings of the hens, but furnishing for 

 them, upon its borders, a good hollowing place, contributing to 

 a healthy condition of the fowls, and furnishing a necessary 

 element in forming the shells of their eggs. With about three 

 bushels of this mixture I put one bushel of wood ashes, and 

 half a bushel of plaster of paris, thoroughly mixing, and by 

 repeated workings, incorporate the whole into one thoroughly 

 and evenly mixed compost, and covering the same, to be ready 

 for use immediately before planting. Of this compost, I put 

 about half a pint in the hill, covering slightly with earth ; and 

 much care should be observed in this matter of covering, as 

 instances are not unfrequent where corn has failed to sprout. 

 When coming in immediate contact with a compost so strong as 

 this will be, the compost acts directly upon the corn in its warm- 

 ing properties, not only, but upon its stimulating and fertilizing 

 qualities, giving the corn a quick start, and vigorous growth 

 until its roots shall be so far developed as to reach to and find 

 the stable manure of the land, that will carry it to maturity. 



This Report was then accepted. • 



The subject of weighing crops, having been introduced by a 

 letter from the Berkshire Society, inquiring whether any change 

 was contemplated, by the State Board, in the blanks furnished 

 to competitors on farm crops, the matter was referred to a 

 Committee consisting of Messrs. Loring, Moore, and Perkins. 

 The chairman submitted the following as a majority 



repoet: 



The Committee to whom was referred the mode of ascertaining 

 the weight of crops entered for premium, report, by a majority, 

 that it is inexpedient to change existing regulations. 



Geo. B. Loring. 



John B. Moore. 



At the meeting on Saturday, Feb. 3d, the matter coming up 

 by special assignment, Mr. Perkins presented a verbal minority 

 report, recommending that existing regulations be withdrawn. 

 This led to an animated discussion, a large majority maintaining 



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