turnips ten to eleven per cent.; English turnips nine to nine and one-half per cent. Mr. Goodale further remarked, that although he proposed this topic for consideration, he did by no means maintain that the extensive culture of the turnip would accomplish for us what it had done for England. We were differently situated. Our climate was very unlike theirs. In England many roots were left in the field for consumption where they grew, and when harvested, a comparatively slight protection would suffice to protect them from the frosts of winter-here all must be secured in root cellars; and yet he believed that the culture of roots promised well enough with us to warrant its increase a hundred fold. In the state at large they had been sadly neglected-totally neglected, (if we except the potato, by a majority of farmers,) as a field crop. When we grow as many acres as we now do rods, we may approximate the right proportion. The value of roots is not comprised in a single item. Their cultivation is the best preparation of soil for other crops They yield a very large amount of nutritive matter. By their help we can sustain more cattle and sheep, and can also give them such a variety of food as will cause them to thrive better than when confined to dry fodder, however good it be. The stock thus fed will in turn so increase the supply of manure that we can grow heavy crops of grain and not be dependent upon other states for bread stuffs. Perhaps no single crop will ever be to us just what the turnip is to England, but I am not sure that roots and Indian corn together may not. My estimate of Indian corn is very high. I think it well entitled to be called, as it has been, "meal, meadow and manure," and sometimes am inclined to look upon the extent and style of its culture, at least in the southern half of the state, as a fair index to the condition of agriculture among us. As to the root to be preferred, he would not decide dogmatically, nor confine himself to one, to the exclusion of others, each farmer should decide according to his soil and other circumstances. Each root has its advantages and disadvantages. The mangold would thrive in a heavier soil than suited the carrot or turnip. The parsnip could remain in the ground all winter. The turnip was liable to the fly and the carrot to rust. The turnip was best in early winter and became corky if kept late. The mangold was best if fed out after midwinter and if given early would cause scouring. His object in presenting the topic was simply to get at the facts of experience and invite attention to the importance of extended root culture. The report was adopted. Mr. Rice, from the committee on seventh Topic, presented the following report: Ought the Board of Agriculture to be empowered by law to fix the time of holding the shows of agricultural societies? In discussing the question under consideration, your committee perceive two objects, the attainment of which is aimed at in instituting the above inquiry. 1st. The making our county societies more effectually auxiliary to the state society by having all the exhibitions of the former precede that of the latter, that choice specimens exhibited at the county shows might be selected for exhibition at the fair of the state society. 2d. It is desirable that an arrangement be made by which no two contiguous societies should hold their fairs at the same time, thereby exciting a negative influence on each other and to a greater or less extent neutralizing the beneficial results of both. In considering the first of these propositions your committee feel that however desirable in itself, the accomplishment of the object is attended with paramount difficulties; For instance, if the county societies are required to hold their fairs at a much earlier day than heretofore, farmers will not have gathered in their crops, and of course will be unprepared to exhibit. On the contrary, if the state society be required to defer its exhibition to a later period, there is reason to apprehend unfavorable weather and a bad state of roads; thereby reducing the attendance and proportionately diminishing the influence and benefits of the exhibition. Your committee would therefore suggest that this Board, instead of asking to be vested with additional power in this matter, simply recommend to the several societies throughout the state, that they strive to promote the interest of the state fair, both by their personal attendance, and by forwarding specimens of their productions for exhibition; and that the trustees of the several societies be requested in fixing the time of their fairs to consult the officers of contiguous societies, and so far as practicable, so to arrange them that they shall not conflict with each other. The report was adopted. F. L. RICE, Chairman. The committee on eighth Topic, reported as follows: The committee charged to inquire "what proportion of the funds of agricultural societies, if any, should be expended in promoting general or permanent farm improvements ?" report: That while the plan now in common use, of awarding premiums on animals, vegetable products, implements and articles, shown at our fairs, has been productive of much good, and ought by no means to be discontinued, they yet believe that by this plan only a small portion of the great field of improvement which is open to the farmers of Maine, receives any direct or sufficient encouragement or stimulus. We believe the time has come when our societies should commence a new line of effort, aiming at greater and more important results, although, doubtless, making less display at our' annual exhibitions. It is far easier to bestow careful treatment and liberal feeding or manuring upon an animal or a crop, so as to secure the highest prizes awarded for such, than it is to bring up to a similar standard of excellence all the stock and all the crops of the farm; easier far, than to arrange the whole farm, its buildings, fences, and all else which pertains to it, in the best possible order, and to put the whole in the best condition. And your committee feel confident that the latter should be the aim of every farmer, rather than a single great crop, or a wonderfully fine animal. Some feeble efforts have been attempted of this sort, by many of our societies, but experience has fully shown that the small premiums offered of five, ten, or fifteen dollars "for the best managed farm," have failed of accomplishing much good. But where large prospective prizes have been offered for the greatest improvement to be made during a series of years, the happiest results have followed. As an instance in point, we refer to what has recently taken place in Cumberland county, from the offer two or three years of one prize of one hundred dollars, and a second of fifty dollars, for the greatest improvements to be made in two years. What have been the results? The highly intelligent committee who went, each year, over the whole ground, in their report, speak not only of the earnest, ardent efforts of some fifteen or twenty competitors, for the greatest improvement in their power, but of "the deep interest manifested by those whose farms were not entered, to see, and discuss the economy of the improvements made, and in many instances to commence the work of reform upon their own premises; giving evidence that this class of premiums is about to accomplish an amount of good to the agriculture of the county, not easily to be estimated. It is truly gratifying to observe the spirit of inquiry everywhere manifested, as to the best methods of conducting farm operations. The old ruts in which the fathers teamed so sturdily and persistently, are being carefully examined: and, though perhaps they were well adapted to the circumstances of those who marked them out. they are now often found too deep and heavy, too hilly and circuitous for these latter times. Improvement is now the order of the day; improved stock, improved buildings, improved implements, improved orchards, gardens, mowing, pastures, improved everything. Men of intelligence, energy and perseverance, and with abundant capital, are enlisting in it, and, if we mistake not the signs of the times, farming in Cumberland county is soon to assume a rank, as an occupation, second to no other, either in point of the skill with which it is conducted, or the profits which it will be made to return." What has come to pass in Cumberland, may be safely calculated upon wherever a similar movement is started in other counties, and the actual benefit accruing to the agricultural community, will, in the opinion of your committee, be many fold greater and more lasting, than by expending the same sum in prizes upon extra fine productions, brought to the fair; leaving behind upon the farm, possibly, many things which the owner would be less anxious to have properly appreciated by a discriminating committee. But we are met by the objection that many of our agricultural societies are not able to devote the requisite amount for this purpose, without great inconvenience or sacrifice; perhaps, would be obliged to suspend their ordinary operations for a year, in order to do it. Without expressing an opinion whether this would be advisable or not, we beg to make a suggestion, viz: let ten, twenty, or thirty per cent. of the required sum (according to circumstances,) be laid aside from the usual expenditure, for this special purpose, and be put at interest; meantime, agitate the subject, awaken an interest in it, and at the proper time announce the prizes and allow not less than three years, perhaps four or five, in which to accomplish the improvements. Another objection may be made,-that it will cost something for a committee to visit all the competitors, and examine carefully their operations, to note down year by year the changes taking place on each farm, and to compare results. We answer, very true,—but is it not worth something to visit all the go-ahead farmers, and to have the opportunity of examining, and criticising, and comparing, and profiting by what can be seen and learned in such a trip? Farmers suffer much by isolation, by the lack of opportunity of visiting and examining each other's sphere of operations. They meet at church, and occasionally at market. What they need is to meet oftener in their factories, and beside their machinery while it is running. Now, we say that placing a man on such a committee, is putting him into a better agricultural school. than can be found elsewhere in all New England, and if he deduct fair tuition fees from the needful expense, there will not be a frightful sum remaining to be provided for otherwise. Respectfully submitted. SEWARD DILL, S. L. GOODALE, Committee. The committees on ninth and eleventh Topics, asked leave to report after the session, which was granted. Mr. Hammond, for committee on tenth Topic, read a report, which was, after discussion, recommitted with leave to report at the next session, Mr. Noyes, from the committee on Topic No. 12, made a report, as follows: Can the cultivation of the smaller fruits be made profitable? If so, what varieties are best, and what are the best methods of cultivation? |