130 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



In one of the lots ploughed there are many atones withui 

 reach of the plough. As this portion of the society's grounds 

 seems to be dedicated to this particular use, we think they 

 should be removed. We should not recommend this, were these 

 obstructions so distributed as to test equally the skill of all the 

 ploughmen ; but it is not desirable that one of the competitors 

 should be subjected to constant annoyances from this source, 

 while each of the others is quietly and uninterruptedly pursuing 

 the even tenor of his way. 



Did we suppose that the action of the trustees, in excluding 

 oxen from the present ploughing match, was indicative of a dis- 

 position on the part of the society to favor the entire substitu- 

 tion of horses, in the labors of the farm, or that such a policy 

 was likely to become general among farmers, we should most 

 earnestly protest against it. But while it continues to be the 

 case that the value of an ox is ever increasing, till he is fitted 

 for the butcher, — and that the value of a horse is as constantly 

 diminishing, till it comes to be measured only by tlic worth of 

 his skin, we think this matter may be safely left to those calcu- 

 lations of profit and loss which govern most of the transactions 

 of practical farmers. 



MANURES. 



WORCESTER NORTH. 



Experiments ivith Manures, in accordance ivith the requirements 

 of the Slate Board of Agriculture. 



Directions for jierforming the Experiments, given hy the Board. 



" Select a level piece of land of any convenient size, from twenty 

 square rods up to as many acres or more, which should be as nearly 

 e(iual in its character and conditions as possible. Divide it into five 

 equal parts, numbering them 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. 



" Divide the manure which it is proposed to apply, and which should 

 be of a uniform character, into four equal parts. At the time of first 

 ploughing in the spring, spread evenly one-fourth of the manure upon 

 plot No. 1, and then plough the whole field of an equal dejjth. Apply 



