PLYMOUTH SOCIETY. 123 



a limit beyond which even the most praiseworthy improve- 

 ments cannot be profitably carried in the outset of life. Should 

 the next season prove unfavorable for the rye crop, as not un- 

 frequently happens, it will require a great many seasons for grass 

 enough to grow on this land to pay for the clearing. Whether 

 or not Mr. C. has been advancing personal interest, he has per- 

 formed a useful work in the community, and is entitled to the 

 first premium, $10. 



Henry Alden, of East Bridgewater, has performed an experi- 

 ment with lime, in accordance with the directions given, and is 

 entitled to the premium, $25. The lime in Mr. A's experiment 

 manifestly had some influence on every crop, yet not enough to 

 make its application much of an object. 



Paul Hathaway, of Middleborough, claims the premium 

 offered for the most careful and satisfactory experiment in the 

 use of plaster on one acre of land. No directions accompanied 

 this ofier. Applicants were left to the exercise of their own 

 judgment. The Trustees, however, did not intend to give a 

 premium for any experiment not conducted with sufficient ac- 

 curacy to enable farmers to determine whether it be advisable to 

 use plaster at all, and, if it be used, on what crops it will prove 

 most efficacious, and at what time, and in what quantity, it 

 should be applied. The experiment of Mr. H. imparts very 

 little information on these points. He states that the application 

 of plaster increased the quantity of grass, but omits telling us 

 how long the land had been in grass, what kind it produced, or 

 when the plaster was sowed. In one instance, he sowed three 

 bushels on an acre, in another only two, and his statements seem 

 to prove that there was the greatest influence from the least 

 quantity : yet Mr. H. says nothing about the quantity he should 

 think it best to apply. He remarks, that plaster is particularly 

 effective on clover and potatoes. This is the opinion of many 

 farmers; but we want some exact experiments that will show us 

 whether the efficacy is suflicient to justify the expense of the 

 application, and in what quantity it produces the greatest effect. 

 In these views, the Committee cannot think Mr. H. .entitled to 

 a premium, but hope the Trustees will reward his zeal in a gra- 

 tuity of $5. 



MORRILL ALLEN. 



