SECRETARY'S REPORT. 1!) 



parativc value of stable manure and guano, super-phosphate of 

 lime, potash, &o. They will appear best in the following 



REPORT. 



The undersigned, a sub-committcc of the Superintending Committee 

 of this Board for carrying on the operations of the State Farm at West- 

 borough, submit the following lleport 



« ON CHOPS, INCLUDING FERTILIZERS, &c." 



In pursuance of the duty assigned, your Committee visited the Farm 

 in the spring, and after consultation Avith Deacon White, the farmer, 

 in relation to the wants of the Institution, and the capabilities of the 

 soil, gave such directions as appeared to them to be the best adapted 

 to promote the interests of the Commonwealth and the objects of 

 the Board. 



Among the latter were certain experiments with fertilizers, for the 

 purpose of ascertaining their value, and their adaptation to various 

 crops -and soils. 



Before proceeding with a statement of the results of the experi- 

 ments, it should be mentioned that, from unforeseen and providential 

 circumstances, it was impossible to commence some of them until the 

 season was too far advanced for a favorable trial. Other difficulties 

 have since occurred, which were not anticipated, and which have 

 prevented so accurate and satisfactory a report as might be desired. 

 Among these may especially be named the unparalleled drought so 

 generally disastrous to vegetation throughout the country. 



Your Committee herewith submit the subjoined statement of the 

 products derived from the department under their charge", without 

 estimating the cost of production or the value of the crops, since these 

 will be found in the accounts of the farmer, rendered to the Secretary 

 of the Board. 



CORN CHOPS. 



There were twenty-one acres in one field, and the soil was of a 

 light, loamy character. The crop for the previous three years had 

 been hay. The land was ploughed eight inches deep, and furrowed 

 both ways thirty-six by thirty inches. Fifteen acres of the above 

 were manured with manure from the barn, spread and ploughed in, at 

 the rate of twenty-five cartloads of thirty-four bushels each, or eight 



