Your committee to whom was assigned the above topic, would ask leave to report.

We are of opinion, that the cultivation of the smaller fruits is altogether too much neglected. Whether this neglect arises from the false impression that there are no dollars and cents to be seen, or from a want of reliable information as to the best kinds and method of cultivation, your committee are not prepared to say; but certain it is, when this important branch of horticulture has been attempted on a somewhat extensive scale, it has invariably been attended with profit, not only to the pocket directly, but in the perceptible health of the household. Take for instance the currant, the smallest of the small fruits, and see to what a variety of useful purposes,it can be made subservient, and the ease and facility with which it can be grown, adapting itself to all soils, and never disappointing in a crop. The same may be said of the cooling and refreshing raspberry-several varieties of which are of magnificent size and exquisite flavor, which have more recently been introduced, and which command good prices in our markets, and which can be grown in large quantities on a small piece of ground.

Your committee regret not having any data at hand, by which to give a more full and reliable account of the profits arising from, and the best methods of cultivating the smaller fruits in general. And they would suggest the propriety of assigning this important subject to a committee of one or more, whose duty it should be to gather. facts and prepare a statement for publication in the secretary's next annual report.

Respectfully submitted.

ALBERT NOYES.

The report was accepted, and in accordance with the suggestion at its close, Mr. Noyes was charged with the preparation of the statement for publication.

Mr. Stevens, for the committee on thirteenth Topic, read a report, which, after some discussion and slight verbal amendments, was adopted, as follows:

By what means can the settlement of the new and fertile lands of Maine best be secured?

This is an important question-important alike to every citizen of the state, and involves in its answer the future greatness and pros

perity of the commonwealth, because it involves the unfolding and development of its immense internal resources now lying dormant and unknown. The settlement of the new and fertile lands of Maine therefore interests alike the farmer, the artisan, the merchant and the professional men of the state-and directly and indirectly affects their prosperity as individuals, as well as a body politic.

Among the means to be adopted to secure this great end, we answer,-first, better facilities of communication with the older parts of the state,—thus enabling us to retain all its trade and its business within our own borders—and affording our citizens a quick and economical mode of reaching those lands, there to hew out for themselves farms in the wilderness.

Secondly, by keeping before the people the capabilities and resources of this region, which has until quite recently been an unknown world to most of our people. There are various ways of doing this.

By the partial geological and agricultural survey of the state much kuowledge was disseminated. And if this survey could be completed, and a knowledge of the agricultural capabilities of our wild lands be placed before the public eye, it would be a prominent means to bring about the object under consideration.

The land agent's circular has been instrumental in directing the attention of the people to these lands, and more especially the existence of a Board of Agriculture, in connection with the energetic and well-timed labors of its secretary, who, in the summer of 1857, traveled through Aroostook county for the purpose of learning something of its agricultural capabilities and resources. This information has been disseminated throughout the state by means of his annual report at once, and has been effectual in calling the attention of the great mass of the people to the fertile land of northern Maine. For the past year, much knowledge of Aroostook county has been disseminated through the columns of the Aroostook Pioneer, a weekly paper printed in the very heart of the public lands. This press ought to be liberally supported by the people of the state, whose best interests it has done and is still doing, so much to advance.

Mr. Tucker, for committee on fourteenth Topic, reported as fol

lows;

"What breeds and classes of horses are most deserving attention and encouragement in Maine, and what is the best mode of rearing and training them?"

Your committee do not expect in this brief report to meet the views of the members of this board or of others that are engaged in raising horses; all have their favorite breeds. Neither does your committee expect to be able to give you a particular description or history of all the valuable breeds of horses that there are even in New England. There is perhaps no animal on which there is more difference of opinion than on the horse. The Morgan horse has been reared with success and is a hardy animal; his constitution is adapted to our climate. The Morgan combines all that seems necessary to make a good horse, being of medium size and powerful action, good feeders, possessing docility of disposition and mature at an early age. Your committee would here meet an objection often made against the Morgans, that they lack in size. There would be no difficulty in increasing the size of the Morgans, but when we have increased their size shall we have the Morgan horse? What we have gained in size we have lost in symmetry, compactness, ease of motion and vigor. The question of size is of great importance in breeding, aud one in regard to which breeders are very liable to mistake. Committees and agricultural societies often encourage erroneous opinions on the subject; a large colt is likely to get a premium, all are not critical judges, and under a load of fat, but few are capable of pointing out the defects in the animal. Every departure from the medium size of a race of animals is attended with a loss of power and action, and a departure from the medium size should not be permitted except for a special purpose.

The Messenger horses have been reared quite extensively and with great profit to many farmers in Maine, who have had the pleasure of filling their pockets with the hard cash-the proceeds of the sale of a fine Messenger. The Messengers do not mature as young as the Morgans, being of much larger size, but when matured, they are capable of great endurance, and are usually of good disposition. A great number of the Morgans and Messengers have proved to be fast trotters.

There are many other breeds of horses that are entitled to honorable mention. The Black Hawks are not second to any breed. They make fine carriage and saddle horses, and for style and action are unsurpassed. Are very fine limbed and active, being a branch of the family of Morgan horses they partake largely of the vigor of the Morgans. The Hamiltonians and Eaton horses have gained celebrity, and are the favorites of many, being of the Messenger family; that is enough to recommend them. The Indian Chiefs, Drews, and Fox horses, all have their admirers, and some of them have created quite a sensation among the horse fanciers.

Your committee hardly feel competent to decide which or what breeds of horses should be most encouraged in Maine. Without doubt, more profit has been realized from the Morgans and Messengers than from any other breeds. One very important point in raising horses is to propagate from the most pure blood to be found, of whatever breed you may wish to raise.

cess.

The classes of horses to be considered are: 1st. The stock horse. 2d. The brood mare. 3d. The family carriage horse. 4th. The roadster. 5th. The trotter. 6th. The farm or draught horse. 7th. The racer. Your committee will be able only to glance at the different classes. First is the stock horse, like begets like, and a good stock horse is indispensable in propagating good stock, and without him our effort to raise good horses could not be crowned with sucSecond. A brood mare is very important, and good mares should be used for breeding. It is too much the practice with farmers, if they have a mare that is of no other use, to put her to breeding; that is a great mistake, and should be corrected. To raise a good colt, the sire and dam should be of good symmetry, and the practice of using a sire much larger than the dam is not usually attended with good results, the reverse would do better; to have them nearly equal in size would be most desirable. Third. The family carriage horse is almost one of the indispensables, but very few would be willing to be deprived of the services of this noble animal. A horse of this class should be trained to the saddle, as he is hardly a family horse unless he can be used under the saddle. He should also be of docile disposition, and great care should be observed in selecting a horse for this use. Fourth. A good roadster must have speed, bottom, life and ambition, and be a good feeder,

of good disposition and well broken. All combined, will make a good roadster. Fifth. The trotter. This class has its friends and its enemies. They have more enemies in words than in acts. When a trotting match comes off all are there. Those that have denounced it are there. All classes of citizens are represented. All are interested. Sixth. The farm and draught horse. This horse should be heavy. The services of this class cannot be dispensed with. With him we carry on our farm, haul our produce to market, and as he is coming into more general use upon the farm, he too, should receive attention. Seventh, and last, is the racer. But little is known of him in Maine, and in these days of traveling by steam, and communication by telegraph, our fast young men have not found any use for this class of horses.

The six classes first mentioned appear to be deserving of attention and encouragement in Maine. The rearing of horses is important and one that interests each member of this Board and every farmer in Maine. It is a subject that is too much neglected. In raising good horses it is very important to start right, and after starting right, do right. Those that have been most successful in raising good horses have worked their mares but very little, if any. If they are used, their treatment should be kind and not overworked; neither before nor after she drops her foal until it is weaned. Colts do as well weaned on hay. It is the practice of many to put them in stables to wean them; that is objectionable, it is injurious for them to stand on a hard floor. Colts do much better to run in a yard with a warm shelter to go into at their pleasure. They should have the best of care the first winter. A plenty of good hay and water with one quart of oats per day, will be sure to improve your colt, and he will come out looking finely in the spring.

Colts should not be neglected. After their first winter they should be kept growing. You cannot expect a good horse from a poor half-starved neglected colt: Colts will do better not to be stabled until three or four years old, unless the floor is well littered. A manure yard with a good shed to go under would be better, then they would get exercise which is conducive to health.

The proper training of horses is very much neglected. Many suppose when their young horse gets so that he will go in the road and haul a carriage he is well trained, or at least sufficiently so that