120 ON FARMS. 



elicit the observation and experiment of our agriculturists. 

 Composting has of late been a prominent theme of our agri- 

 cultural writers, and if the application of the basis of compost 

 is equally as effective as the compost, much labor may be 

 saved. 



The young orchard named in the statement, was particular- 

 ly noticed, and commended by the Committee. The trees 

 were all thrifty, and of healthy appearance, and gave strong 

 symptoms that a part of the increasing profits of the farm, 

 spoken of in the statement, may reasonably be expected from 

 this source. The trees in grass land, under the treatment of 

 Mr. Porter, appeared fully as vigorous as those on cultivated 

 grounds. 



We cannot pass, without notice, the home pasture, on which 

 was kept during the season, stock equal to one cow to about 

 two and one quarter acres of land ; and from the appearance 

 of the pasture, the condition of the cows, and the amount of 

 milk taken, the feed was not stinted. This is a result in pas- 

 turing, which is not usually seen, and forcibly impresses us 

 with the importance of devoting more attention to pasture 

 grounds. This subject has already attracted the notice of the 

 Society, and we trust will receive the attention its importance 

 demands. 



On the profits of farming, there exists a diversity of opin- 

 ions ; and the belief that agriculture is not one of the most 

 direct roads to wealth, probably induces many of the sons of 

 farmers to other pursuits of life. If the statements of some 

 of our best farmers, are entitled to full belief, no occupation 

 offers more certainty, and few, larger hopes of success, than 

 agriculture. And that these statements are reliable, most of us 

 have indications from the profits of some small patches of our 

 land, that by design or accident may have been devoted to a 

 suitable crop, and cultivated with unusual care. Extended 

 cultivation is probably the greatest obstacle to improvement ; 

 as from our attempt to grasp the whole range of agriculture, 

 and in some cases, perhaps, horticulture, the mind is too much 

 distracted to give sufficient thought, and the labor too much 

 diversified and pressing to be devoted in as full a manner as it 



