xvi BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



their ownership and use by the farmer. No farmer can afford 

 to own a stallion, as he would a bull, and few farmers can 

 afford to pay the rather large fee charged by the owners of the 

 few stallions in the State. New^ Jersey has tried the experiment 

 of State ownership and so far with success. Massachusetts 

 should try this also, and to this effect a bill has been drawn for 

 presentation to the Legislature. 



• Sheep. 



In connection with this subject quite a study of the dog laws 

 of various States and other countries has been made by your 

 secretary. The Hampden County Improvement League is 

 much interested in the subject of better dog laws, and a law 

 prepared by them has been introduced into the present Legis- 

 lature. 



Wild Deer. 



The law passed last season relative to the better control of 

 these animals has had a marked effect in reducing them and 

 their consequent damage to our orchards. The Board should 

 oppose any attempt to repeal this law% and should possibly 

 attempt to have the open season extended. 



Alfalfa. 

 This very important crop is not meeting with the success 

 which it ought to in our State, and it would seem that it is 

 largely due to lack of knowledge regarding the growing of it. 

 The Board, in conjunction with other organizations interested 

 in this subject, should appeal to the government and the State 

 experiment station in order that a sub-experiment station for 

 the growing of this crop be established in Massachusetts. 

 Much alfalfa is now being brought to our State from Texas and 

 California, while we have much land which could grow it. 

 There is no doubt that it would pay if grown only as a one- 

 season crop, as we do Hungarian barley or oats, planting the 

 cheaper varieties of seed in the s})ring, getting if possible two 

 cuttings which may be fed green or put in the silo. We must 

 not give up the attempt to grow alfalfa, for we are bound to 

 succeed if we persist. 



