182 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



and each of the other single crops at $16 per ton. These 

 estimates are based upon the weights of the hay after curing 

 in the barn. The shrinkage in the first two years was esti- 

 mated to have been 20 per cent ; in the later years it was 

 actually determined, but found in no case to equal the allow- 

 ance made in 1899 and 1900. 



It is believed at the present time that the following fornmla 

 would have given possibly a greater net profit than the other 

 employed, viz. : — 



Pounds per Acre. 



Nitrate of soda, ....... 350 



Acid phosphate, . . ^. . . . 500-600 



Muriate of potash, 225-250 



In view of the thousands of acres of ' ' run-out " grass lands, 

 and the lack of stable manure to renovate them, it is believed 

 that a more general use of chemical manures would result in 

 great profit to Massachusetts farmers. But, to succeed, 

 lime must be applied if the soil is very acid (sour) ; and 

 from 8 to 10 })ounds of cleaned red-top seed and 18 to 20 

 pounds of timothy seed should be sown to insure a full stand 

 of grass, for the greatest profit cannot be made if every 

 square inch of the soil is not occupied by grass plants. 



If time allowed, much might be added concerning grass 

 culture ; but it is hoped that what has been said may aid at 

 least in a small way in awakening an interest in the subject, 

 which may eventually result in making two blades of grass 

 grow at a profit in Massachusetts where but one grew before. 



Secretary Ellsworth. I am going to ask the indulgence 

 of this audience just one moment ; I wish to make a motion. 

 The Board of Agriculture extends a vote of thanks to the 

 Worcester Northwest Agricultural and Mechanical Society, 

 and especially to its delegate, Mr. Goodspeed, to its presi- 

 dent, Dr. Oliver, and to its secretary, Mr. Ellsworth, for the 

 great interest that they have taken and the work they have 

 done towards the success of these meetings. 



Mr. Augustus Pratt (of North Middlcborough). I wish 

 to second the motion just made, and to say that for fourteen 

 years, with one exception, I have had the i)rivilegc of attend- 



