ESSEX AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 131 



such methods as will be likely to insure a profitable return. If 

 they make application of theoretic rules, let them examine care- 

 fully the component parts of the soil, on which they propose to 

 act : the depth, and the vegetable materials of which it is com- 

 posed ; the character of the waters, which flow on it, and even 

 the nature of the subsoil. It will not be expected, that any one 

 can, by anticipation, lay down specific general rules, to direct, 

 in all cases, the proper mode of management to be adopted, in 

 reclaiming wet meadows ; so numerous are the varying circum- 

 stances, on which we must depend. Yet one unvarying rule 

 must be observed. The land must be well drained, and the 

 ditches continued to be kept open and clear. Occasional top- 

 dressings must be applied of such substances as have been found 

 to prove most successful. Thus managed, I would aver, that 

 such lands may be kept in good heart much longer, and produce 

 more abundant crops, at far less expense, than uplands generally. 



An Essay on the Establishment of Agkicultural Libraries, by 

 Agricultural Societies. 



BY ALLEN W. DODGE. 



Among the measures adopted by agricultural societies, to pro- 

 mote the objects for which they are instituted, it is not a little 

 remarkable, that agricultural libraries should have been so gen- 

 erally overlooked. That they are within the legitimate province 

 of these societies, so that a small portion of their funds might be 

 annually appropriated for their establishment and increase, can 

 hardly be questioned. The only subject for consideration, would 

 seem to be, whether the benefits, to be derived from such libra- 

 ries, would justify the expenditure. 



It may be said, in the first place, in favor of this enterprise, it 

 will disseminate agricultural knowledge. The object of these 

 associations is to advance the cause of agriculture. To this 

 end, premiums are oftered, to induce experiments, to ascertain 

 things unknown or doubtful, and to excite greater skill, in the 



