DROUTH. 7 



blossom, spins its fertilizing silk, and perfects its golden 

 grain, a miracle of beautiful and rich vegetation. 



The Indians cultivated the lands upon the coast and upon 

 the banks of rivers, fertilizing the soil Avith fish that were put 

 into the hills in which they planted their corn. The settlers 

 noted that the well-enriched corn-fields were not only more 

 productive, but they better withstood the droulli. This les- 

 son was little heeded by our ancestors, who upon all our soils 

 exhausted the fertility in the reckless manner characteristic 

 of all American agriculture. The lesson has been repeated 

 to us this year with fresh illustration. Lands in a high 

 state of fertility made fair crops, while neglected fields 

 parched under the scorching sun. 



Reference to the reports of the State Board since 1853, 

 will show that drouth during some part of the season is the 

 rule rather than the exception, and our husbandry, to be suc- 

 cessful, must conform to this condition of our climate. Our 

 most important crop is hay. Our fields are natural grass- 

 lands, and the crop is produced and harvested with less labor 

 than an}' other crop we make. The value of our hay in the 

 last year of the State census, was $9,106,159, and this was 

 of so-called English hay, not reckoning in the amount 

 clover hay, salt hay, and meadow hay. This crop is gathered 

 from far too great an acreage, and the whole amount could 

 be more profitably and safely raised upon one-third of the 

 land now employed. 



No crop is so much affected by drouth as grass. Early 

 drouth decreases the first crop, midsummer drouth cuts off 

 the aftermath, and late drouth affects the fall growth which 

 is a necessary protection against our frequent bare and open 

 winters. 



Concentration of hihor, manure and seed upon one-third 

 of the land now in moAving, would produce a greater crop, 

 and drouths would not be so injurious. It is a rule that 

 admits of no dispute, that well-manured lands best withstand 

 drouth. 



AVhen the situation will admit, irrigation may be used to 

 great advantage. AVater can be supplied by wind-mills for 

 the irrigation of market-gardens. 



The season was healthy and our cattle have been free from 



