SECRETARY'S REPORT. 07 



terial expense ; third, it becomes so productive as to yield the 

 largest bulk of hay, besides abundance of the very best sup- 

 port for ewes and lambs in the spring, and for cows and other 

 cattle in the autumn of every year; fourth, in favorable situa- 

 tions, it produces very early grass in the spring, when it is 

 doubly valuable ; and fifth, not only is the land thus rendered 

 fertile, without any occasion for manure, but it produces food 

 for animals, which is converted into manure, to be used on 

 other lands — thus augmenting, in a compound proportion, that 

 great source of fertility." 



The use of the hydraulic ram in raising- water for irrigation 

 will hereafter be better understood and appreciated. By 

 mCans of this simple machine sufficient water may be raised to 

 fertilize many acres, which are now comparatively worthless 

 through a considerable portion of every dry summer. 



I shall take occasion, farther on, to speak of the difference 

 between the climate of England and our own; and the reader 

 will be able to judge for himself how far the difference in cir- 

 cumstances would be likely to modify the advantages derived 

 from irrigation in other countries. It may be stated, however, 

 that the south of France and Spain are subject to severe 

 droughts like our own, and that irrigation is there resorted to 

 as a remedy against them with great success, and with the most 

 satisfactory results. 



I have dwelt at some length upon this subject, because so 

 little attention has been paid to it that its advantages are 

 either not understood or not acknowledged. Further experi- 

 ments are needed to settle the question as to how far irriga- 

 tion may be practised here with profit. In point of natural 

 facilities for obtaining suitable water, many parts of Massa- 

 chusetts are eminently fortunate ; and the time will undoubtedly 

 come when the waters of our streams will be regarded as of 

 inestimable value for agricultural purposes. 



Another mode of avoiding the bad effects of our droughts 

 is by deep ploughing and it stirring of the soil in dry 



weather. This will probably be found the most efficient and 

 practicable mode to be pursued in upland cultivation. Deep 

 ploughing and frequent stirring of the soil, is the answer made, 

 in nine cases out of ten, to the question as to what is the best 



