336 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



ESSAYS. 



The Massachusetts Society for the Promotion of Agriculture, pro- 

 pose the following subjects for Prize Essays for 1858. One hundred 

 and fifty dollars for each. 



I. An inquiry as to the best breed of Cattle for the State of Mas- 

 sachusetts, taking into consideration beef, milk, and ivork. 

 Does such a breed exist ? If not, can it be made either by 

 crossing known breeds or by selection, without reference to 

 breed ? 

 II. Manures, natural and artificial. The best mode of preparation. 

 The best mode of application, — having especial reference to 

 the soil, climate, and crops of IMassachusetts. 



III. The most useful system of instruction, by which to acquire a 



practical agricultural education, such as would fit a young 

 man to commence the business of a farmer upon the average 

 farming lands of Massachusetts. 



IV. Best Essay on the advantages to be derived from establishing 



regular fairs or market days throughout the State, for the sale 

 and exchange of agricultural products, together with the best 

 practical method for commencing and continuing them so as 

 to create new markets to the fiirmer. 



No Essay will be entitled to a premium, unless it shall be consid- 

 ered by the Trustees or by those appointed to decide upon its merits 

 to be of sufficient practical value to agriculture to make it worthy of 

 publication in the Transactions of the Society. The Essays must be 

 sent in to the Secretary on or before October 1, 1858, and the name 

 of the author must accompany his Essay, sealed up in an envelop, 

 and not to be opened unless a premium is awarded to the writer. 



RICHARD S. FAY, 



-Sec'?/ of the Mass. Soc. for the Promotion of Agriculture. 



February 13, 1858. 



