duction of better domestic animals, and of plants either not kl 

 all or not generally cultivated ? 



In old farms, such a« all are in Essex, whose native fertility 

 has long since been exhausted, Manure must constitute the es- 

 sential means of restoring and increasing their productive pow- 

 ers. Consequently, to increase the quantity and better the 

 quality of all kinds of manure, within the reach of our farmers, 

 merits the first attention, as the basis of all improvements. 

 There are some substances not comprehended in the term ma' 

 «wrc, in the common sense of that word, which nevertheless, 

 when mixed with the soil, cause it to yield greater crops ; such 

 are clay, lime and other calcarious matters, and plaister of 

 Paris. 



But however abundant may be manures, their most effectual 

 operation depends on the manner of using them, and on the 

 condition and management of the land to which they are ap- 

 plied. 



The design of our institution being universal improvements ia 

 the husbandry of the county, the Trustees are of opinion that 

 the excitement of premiums should be addressed, as far as prac- 

 ticable, to the industrious and enterprising occupants of small as 

 well as of large farms j and be extended, in the progress of im- 

 provement, to every article demanding the increased attention 

 of the husbandman. 



Our common permanent pastures no not yield a sufficient bite 

 of grass for cattle earlier than the 20th of May ; and by the 

 middle of August — sooner, if the season be dry — they fail to 

 such a degree, that cows rapidly fall off in their milk, unless 

 the deiiciency be supplied by other kinds of green food. What 

 these are, within the power of every industrious farmer to pro- 

 vide, it is hoped will be satisfactorily shown, by the claimants 

 for the premiums offered on this point. 



The products of butter will be decisive of two important 

 points — the goodness of the cows — and the sufficiency of their 

 food ; and will encourage farmers to improve their breeds of 

 milch cows, by purchase or by raising them, and to provide 

 ample supplies of proper food. 



