200 MASSACHUSETTS AGMCULTURE. 



tlie lower edge with butts, and at the upper witli hooks, that it 

 may be opened and freed from' any matter whicli might prevent 

 the full flow of the liquid. When the cask is being filled, 

 which I have done by means of a large dipper, a plug is put 

 into the outlet, having a handle reaching above the top of the 

 cask. By this simple arrangement the contents of the cistern 

 may be distributed in one hour. The whole cost may be reck- 

 oned as follows : The cask and fixings, two dollars ; the cistern 

 and conduit, five, and the dipper, an old pail, a stick four feet 

 long, and ten minutes work. I have applied the liquor only to 

 the grass in my orchard, in the spring, and soon after taking 

 off the first crop. The result is quite satisfactory, giving the 

 trees a healthy growth, and the grass an increase of about one- 

 third. 



Sunderland, October 19, 1857. 



FRANKLIN. 



Report of (he Committee. 



The question is constantly arising in the minds of the farmer, 

 what will fertilize the soil so as to secure therefrom the highest 

 possible results. We shall endeavor to meet that question 

 according to the best of our ability. And we shall attempt to 

 elucidate the subject by attending to three important considera- 

 tions. First, that which actually enriches the soil ; secondly, 

 that which stimulates and brings into use the riches which the 

 soil already contains ; and thirdly, we shall speak of the rota- 

 tion of crops. 



As to the first point, we would say stable and barnyard 

 manure is the most common fertilizer in use. Manure should 

 be sheltered if possible. Yard manure can be greatly increased 

 by adding those substances which will drink up the moisture 

 and retain that which otherwise would evaporate by the heat of 

 the sun, or run to waste by drenching rains. Such substances 

 as cut straw, stalks, and every kind of vegetable substance. 

 Some add muck, and this, every farmer understands, but we 

 would speak a word as to its application. 



For corn and potatoes, a very common practice has been to 



