IV ADVERTISEMENT 



to the last volume, — that abundant time is now allowed, under the law 

 of 1847, chapter 69, for the maturing of reports. The cattle shows, 

 being usually held not later than the first or second week in October, 

 from that time until January may be taken to give completeness and 

 accuracy to the reports and returns. They are required to be filed in 

 the Secretary's office on or before the tenth day of January. 



Premiums for general cultivation, or general farm improvement, 

 are becoming more common than in former years, and, in some parts 

 of the State, have acquired special favor. They are undoubtedly the 

 best test of advancement and skill in the application of agricultural 

 knowledge, and present the farmer moving forward in all the depart- 

 ments of labor. Success in the general pursuit, where all branches 

 are cared for and no one is neglected, should be accounted the true 

 purpose of reward. It is believed, that public sentiment indicates 

 this as the leading object of successful competition. 



The essays which form a prominent feature in the doings of some 

 of the societies, especially that of Essex County, deservedly attract 

 general attention, and are rendering excellent service in the promo- 

 tion of agricultural science. Such essays, it is hoped, will become 

 prominent in the doings of all the societies. 



In the present volume, an attempt is made to preserve, in a perma- 

 nent form, some of the contributions made to the cause of agriculture 

 by the Legislative Agricultural Society, which holds its conversational 

 meetings in the hall of the House of Representatives, during the 

 sessions of the Legislature. It is hoped, that what is furnished from 

 this source may prove not unacceptable to the farmers of the Com- 

 monwealth, and lead to ampler contributions hereafter. 



Selections, as in preceding volumes, have been made from the 

 addresses delivered at the various fairs; and that of Professor Norton, 

 on an important topic of agricultural chemistry, has been given in 

 full. No addresses were delivered before the societies in Bristol and 

 Barnstable counties ; and the one before the Hampden Society has 

 not been furnished. 



