98 



season, and an abundance after the rains commenced. But 

 I cannot state definitely the amount of stock that my pasture 

 would keep through the season. It is desirable that there 

 should be some surplus feed in pastures, as close feeding is 

 injurious, and causes them to deteriorate or bind out> 



The increase of the feed is not all the benefit resulting 

 frorri improving pasture land, for as the quantity increases 

 the quality improves; and if an animal will get fat for tlie 

 butcher at midsummer, instead of running the whole season, 

 the keeping for one half the season is saved, while the beef 

 usually sells then at a higher price. 



Meihuen, Nov. loth, 1853. 



Jacob Farnum's Statebient. 



I present to your examination two pastures, one with 

 fifteen acres, and the other with twenty-three. May, 1651, 

 1 spread one ton of plaster on each pasture. In 1S52. the 

 expense of cutting and pulling up savins was about ten 

 dollars. First of May I spread two tons on each pasture. 

 Cost of plaster purchased at Haverhill was $5.50 per ton; 

 cost of drawing and spreading was $2.50 per ton. One pas- 

 ture is very spongy ; the other is dry. I feel encouraged to 

 try more on my other pastures. 



Andover, Nov. I2th, 1853. 



COMPARATIVE VALUE OF CROPS AS FOOD FOR 



CAT TLE. 



The Committee on the comparative value of crops as 

 food for cattle, have received no statement respecting this 

 subject for the past two years. Being Chairman of that 



