PLASTER ON GRASS LAND. 221 



supposed they could sell their hay and still keep up their 

 meadows by spreading a little plaster upon them, have found 

 themselves mistaken, and have complained that their fields 

 became plaster-sick. The sickness was simply starvation for 

 the want of a greater variety of food. Plaster, from its own 

 elements, and by absorption from the air, can furnish only two 

 of the many inorganic elements which enter into the composition 

 of all our grasses. Clover is doubtless more benefited by its 

 action than the other grasses, as the ash of clover shows over 

 thirty per cent, of lime. Plaster is found to act with great 

 efficiency in connection with wood-ashes, as they supply the 

 inorganic elements in which plaster is deficient. 



Farmers may differ about the action of plaster, but in the 

 efficiency of barnyard manure, they are all agreed, and in the 

 production of this, hay is the main reliance. Why should not 

 more of this manure be applied to the reproduction of hay, and 

 thus the law of action and reaction be carried out ? The more 

 hay the more manure, and the more manure the more hay. 



The Chairman. I see before me Mr. Goodman, of Lenox, 

 who can undoubtedly tell us something about the hay crop of 

 Berkshire County. 



Mr. Goodman. Mr. President and Gentlemen, — To under- 

 take to discuss hay after my friend Mr. Hyde has gleaned the 

 field is very much like going on to one of his meadows with a 

 mowing-machine after he has taken off his after- math. But I 

 apprehend there is no topic that is discussed by farmers, partic- 

 ularly in Massachusetts, of more importance than the hay crop. 

 Unfortunately, however, as to the quality of the hay, we are 

 poorer judges than the cattle who eat it. The objects of mak- 

 ing hay in any particular manner are twofold — perhaps more 

 than that ; in the first place, to lessen the labor of the husband- 

 men, and in the second place to afford proper food for cattle. 

 We see the first exemplified when cattle are fed on hay taken 

 in a little before the snow begins to fall, or perhaps somewhat 

 later. As I passed through Connecticut, recently, I saw some 

 hay still in the cock. Whether the quality had been improved 

 by its being air-slacked up to that time, or whether the barns 

 were all full, I had no opportunity to inquire. But I appre- 

 hend, if we should open a hotel for animals, and make a parti- 



