PREPARATION OF THE SOIL. 195 



SECOND DAT. 



The Board met at 10 o'clock, A. M., Hon. Marshall P. 

 Wilder in the Chair. 



The reports of delegates being in order, Mr. Johnson submit- 

 ted a report upon the fair of the Hingham Society, Mr. Blair 

 upon the Marshfield, Mr. Hubbard upon the Martha's Vineyard, 

 Mr. Thompson upon the Highland, Mr. Johnson upon the Nor- 

 folk, and Mr. Plunkett upon the Hampshire, Franklin and 

 Hampden. 



These reports were laid over under the rule, to take their 

 second reading in order. 



Mr. John B. Moore, chairman, then submitted the following 

 Essay upon the 



PREPAKATION OF THE SOIL AND PLANTING OF THE SEED. 



Perhaps it is hardly necessary to say, that it is of the 

 utmost importance, in all attempts to produce crops, that we 

 proceed at the proper time, carefully and thoroughly, to make 

 such a preparation of the soil as shall insure, as nearly as pos- 

 sible, as full and perfect a crop of whatever grains, roots, vegeta- 

 bles or fruits we desire to produce. 



I do not apprehend any dissent from this proposition, for the 

 advancement in agricultural knowledge, the more careful culti- 

 vation of the soil, the improved tools specially designed to do 

 better and more thorough work, the improved breeds of domes- 

 tic animals, and better varieties of all cultivated grains, fruits 

 and vegetables, prove that the intelligent cultivators of the soil 

 have accepted this proposition as true. 



What we may have to say about the preparation of soils, 

 perhaps all will not accept as the best method. For ourselves, 

 we can only say that we have no theories that we desire to push, 

 and if we advance any wrong ideas, you will of course discuss 

 them and set us right ; for, after all, it is by the comparison, 

 discussion and trial of different methods that we arrive at cor- 

 rect conclusions. 



Ploughing is the first thing to be done in preparing the soil 

 for the seed. This is a very important operation, and should 

 always be done with a good and suitable plough. The rule 

 should be to take a furrow narrow enough to thoroughly move 

 and break up the entire soil as deep as the plough runs ; and 



