1871. 



NEW ENGLAND FAKIMER. 



591 



and here is where chemical fertilizers can pro- 1 

 fitably come in. By their aid, lands long 

 languishing may be brought into a state of 

 fertility, and gradually all the cultivated fields 

 and the grazing lands be brought into a profit- 

 able condition. 



The Dinner and After-dinner Talk. 

 After a sumptuous dinner, the leading dish 

 being a capital chowder, with fruits of the sea- 

 son, creams, ices, coffee and tea, Dr. Nichols 

 briefly explained his reasons for inviting his 

 friends to meet him. They were social and 

 instinctive*. He desired to learn of others, 

 and in return to say something of his peculiar 

 modes of cultivating the soil, and to show the 

 growing crops to those present, in corrobora- 

 tion of the results of his practice. His re- 

 marks were received with demonstrations of 

 approbation. 



The Dr. then called upon Major Ben. Per- 

 LEY PooRE, of West Ncwbury, who drew 

 down "the Grove" by happy hits upon various 

 practices. He dwelt mainly upon the progress 

 and increased profits of scientific farming. 

 Upon being called upon. Gen. Sutton, of 

 Salem, spoke in high terms of the eifect of 

 gatherings like the present upon the minds of 

 farmers, and thought them of more importance 

 than all the premiums paid out at the shows. 



]\lr. J. D. Lyman, of Exeter, late Secre- 

 tary of State in New Hampshire, being called 

 on, said farmers now acknowledge the rela- 

 tions of science with the practical affairs of 

 agriculture, and continued for some minutes 

 on this theme in his usual earnest and attrac- 

 tive manner. 



The Editor of the Manchester Mirror and 

 Farmer, John B. Clarke, Esq., responding 

 to a call, said he knew no man to whom the 

 farmers of New England are looking with so 

 much interest as to our host of to-day. The 

 attention lie has called to the use of chemical 

 agents as fertilizers for crops is universal 

 among ovir people, and they are impatiently 

 waiting for more light upon the matter. We 

 have some results of chemical fertilizers about 

 us to-day of the most gratifying character. 



Hon. Allen W. Dodge, of Hamilton, 

 spoke of "the hue-and-cry" against farming 

 as being unprofitable. Farmers support all, 

 he said, and with the aid of science will lead 

 the nation on to an immense power and 

 wealth. 



Mr. Fay, of Chelsea, and Mr. Warren 

 Ordway, of Bradford, made brief remarks, 

 and then the party rode to a beautiful emi- 

 nence on the farm, where they had a fine vi^w 

 of the city and surrounding country. From 

 the farm they rode to the Station, where the 

 party separated, all highly gratified with the 

 events of the day. 



On the following day we had the pleasure of 

 returning to the farm, and of looking over 

 the buildings and crops in a more quiet way. 

 We found all things in scrupulous order ; every 

 department of the buildings sweet and clean ; 

 the yards and roads inviting to man and beast. 

 In the fields, weeds were underlings, and the 

 whole presented an air of thrift and order 

 which was worthy of imitation and refreshing 

 to see. 



Among the gentlemen who enjoyed this fes- 

 tive occasion, there were two who are quite 

 extensive landowners. Gen. Sutton, of Salem, 

 has a large farm in the ancient town of Ipswich, 

 and some three hundred acres, we believe, 

 within the limits of the city of Salem. 



Mr. Peirce, of the firm of Peirce & Bacon, 

 Boston, has a farm at Ipswich, upon which he 

 keeps one hundred head of stock, and is bring- 

 ing it up to compete with the Garden of Eden 

 as nearly as he can. He owns a very largf 

 extent of land in Texas, and now has 2,500 

 acres in corn, six hundred acres in cotton, and 

 four hundred acres in sugar cane. He makes 

 the town of Topsfield his home, and in his farm 

 enterprises is endeavoring to ascertain what 

 amount of crop an acre of land is capable of 

 producing. This is just what New England 

 farmers need ; that men of financial, as well 

 as agricultural skill, shall make such experi- 

 ments on New England soils as have been 

 made by such persons on the soils of Old 

 England. Skill and means to test the produc- 

 tive power of our soils, the best way to man- 

 age them, and the kind of crops to which they 

 are best adapted, are wanted. 



In the cold grapery of Dr. Nichols, we 

 found eight varieties of grapes, now in the 

 sixth year of their growth, and presenting a 

 a most luxuriant appearance. They have never 

 had any stable maiiure. Most farmers can 

 have one if they choose, and at httle cost or 

 labor. 



We agree with Mr. Clark's remark, — 

 that we know of no man to whom the atten- 



