will settle the earth, leaving the borers high and dry. A plaster of clay, or a thick wash of something offensive to the insect, may be laid on, that will serve to drive them away, or at least keep them up, where they will be likely to be seen and destroyed.

Special pains ought to be taken in season, to guard against the ravages of other insects. There are many ways recommended, and though some seem to defy the ingenuity of man, yet any one determined to stay their progress, and prevent destruction, will soon devise some means by which most of them may be kept from doing extensive injury.

In the cultivation of fruits, there are many things of more or less moment to be attended to, and in order to complete success in this as well as in any other business, it is necessary that he who undertakes it, should understand the principles on which success depends. He should also ascertain what varieties are best, and if possible, procure such as have been proved valuable in that vicinity. He should know how to prepare the ground, and how to set the trees or plants. In short, he should understand the why and wherefore of all his operations, and such knowledge (in these days of books and periodicals within reach of all) will tend, not only to make the business more profitable, but will render labor less a task, and prompt the operator to seasonable watchfulness in regard to what he has undertaken.

A writer, in speaking of trees, and the many parts of which they are composed, says, "all these have different offices to fulfil, assume different forms and characters, and are known and designated from one another by different names when subjected to the practical operation of culture. Without some knowledge of the names and structure of these different parts, of the principles that guide their development, their relative connection with, and influence upon one another, tree culture cannot be, to any man, really pleasant, intellectual, or successful, but a misty, uncertain, unintelligible routine of manual labor."

Attempts at raising fruit would be attended with better success, and the cause of failure less frequently charged to some fault in trees, soil or climate, if these things were better understood and regarded.

Notwithstanding our winters are severe, and we are subject to difficulties and obstacles of various kinds, still, with a moderate share of information and intelligence, a judicious selection of varieties adapted to our climate, and with that care and attention which they every where need, duly bestowed, we can raise a variety of fine fruit, and usually in abundance.

The general failure of the crop last season was probably owing to the exces sive fruitfulness of the year previous, and the extreme cold of one day in winter, which killed many fruit buds, and so injured others that they put out late and feebly, and either failed entirely, or produced poor fruit. But this is an exception. Seldom do trees so universally fail of producing at least a middling crop. Any one having an acre of land, can, if he will, have an annual supply, at least for his own family consumption, almost without fail. But if he would succeed, it will not do to merely set the trees and then leave them to take care of themselves. Some attention is necessary at all times and stages of their growth, to keep them in trim-healthy, erect, symmetrical-and to guard them against casualties, and assault by enemies that surround them. Be careful to do for them all that they require, and in a few years they will come to bearing, and you will have the satisfaction of seeing them loaded with delicious fruit. And when, as you are beholding with admiration the result of a few years of care and watchfulness, the ripe and mellow fruits, of golden hue and flushed cheek, are falling all around from over-loaded branches, and you are ready to exclaim,

you will then feel that you have what is worth caring for, and that you have not watched and labored in vain.

Mr. Martin read the following paper on

THE FEEDING OF FARM STOCK.

However much time and talent may be devoted to this topic, definite results and exact conclusions may not be expected; yet it is one of much importance to all the interests of Maine. The census returns of 1860, give the hay crop of the State at 975,890 tons; to this add the rough fodder, roots and grain usually fed to stock, and we have an aggregate exceeding 1,000,000 tons of first class hay, cash value $10,000,000 at least. The annual expenditure of this sum calls for careful investigation and constant search for the most economical mode of converting so large an amount of the produce of the farms into bone, muscle, fat and fertilizers. We think it not extravagant to assume that if careful experiments were instituted and results truly noted, and the community made acquainted therewith, a saving to the State of least ten per cent. or $1,000,000 annually would be the result-a sum which the State can ill afford to lose at any time, and especially now when war is in our face, and exorbitant taxation (the inevitable result of war) is close upon us.

A good sized one-year-old in usual flesh at commencement of winter, will weigh about 600 pounds-a four or five-year-old ox 1,500 pounds. It is not so uncommon as it ought to be, for them to fall off during the winter from one-fourth to one-third in weight, for want of proper food and shelter. The result is, the owner has lost on the year-old, 200 pounds, and on the ox 500 pounds of beef during the winter, which is worth in the one case $8, and in the other $20. The animals have really consumed one-third of themselves to carry them through the winter. Often our neat cattle are fed in the winter on beef and tallow, sheep on mutton, hogs on pork and lard, horses on horse-fleshall expensive articles of food compared with hay, grain and the various root crops.

Animals are but machines to convert the food consumed into substances of more ready and greater value; now if the food supplied fail to support the wear of the machine, the animal will decline in weight; under this system of feeding the loss is three-fold, viz: depreciation in weight, the time spent in feeding, and the food consumed. Again, if the supply be sufficient only to maintain the animal in like condition at the end as the beginning of the time of feeding, the loss is two-fold, viz: time in feeding, and food consumed; that manner of feeding only is successful, which, for every pound of food consumed gives a satisfactory return, either in sustenance, increase of weight, butter, cheese, wool, labor, in something profitable and necessary, and whoever fails to come up to this standard will be likely to say, "farming does not pay."

Regularity in time and quantity is indispensable to successful results in feeding. All animals should be fed at regular hours, and no more given at one time than they will eat with a keen appetite. Extremes should be avoided both in food and drink; change from green to dry food, and from dry to green should be gradual. Either of these changes should extend through a period of a week or ten days at least. They should be supplied with such food as will make them improve during the first month they are fed from the barn. The young and feeble, if allowed to decline during this period, require much care and nutritive food to arrest a downward tendency till the weather moderates in spring. Very little if any less importance attaches to drink than food. If possible, animals should be supplied with clear, pure water, free from ice, and that under a shed or lee where they can drink at their leisure; if required to go a long distance, and drink in a cold place, they will not go till they are in a suffering condition from thirst, and will then drink more than is for their health.

Corn fodder, coarse hay and straw should be fed during the warm days or thaws in winter, and the finer and more nutritive food given in coldest weather. The strictest regard to cleanliness should be had in the barn floor or feed-way and crib. No one thing the feeder would object to tasting him

self should be allowed on the floor or crib; under no consideration should the fowls be allowed to pass from the manure-heap to the hay-mow.

As roots contain a large per centage of water, they should be fed to stock near the middle or warmest part of the day, commencing with small quantities at first, and increasing gradually.

In order that animals may be perfectly and profitably developed, and meet the reasonable expectations of those at whose expense they are fed, they must receive as food, all the materials required, and a sufficiency of all. The stockgrower should ascertain what and how much is needful, and keep no more stock than he can liberally supply; then he will not be reproached by the languid look and staring coat of the half-fed animal, for the mistaken economy practised upon them.

Mr. Rogers presented the following paper on

POTATO CULture.

Potato culture was assigned me by the Board, upon which to report, either at this time, or to the Secretary during the interim. I have preferred to report here, because if I fail to present anything of practical value to the agricultural community, still should I succeed in provoking members to discuss the subject, and thus draw out their ideas, it may be the means of contributing to the common good.

A paragraph lately appeared in some of the papers, to the effect, that an acre of wheat will furnish nourishment for two persons one year, and an acre of potatoes for four persons for the same time-potatoes producing double the amount of food per acre, that wheat does. If such be the fact the subject is of much importance. That it is the case I think we shall be obliged to admit, when we compare the average yield of wheat per acre, with the average of potatoes.

By the census of 1850, the average crop on all the land in wheat in the United States was found to be but nine and one-eighth bushels per acre. It is doubtful whether it has increased since. The average of potatoes I have not ascertained, but it is probably ten or twelve times greater.

Potatoes have become almost indispensable to every housekeeper. A good dinner can hardly be provided without them; the tenderest steak or fattest turkey is not satisfactory without the accompaniment of a good mealy potato. Potatoes tend to promote health, and are a nutritious article of food for both man and beast. Although heavy of transportation, and more perishable than the cereals, still perhaps it is safe to say, that more income is derived by the farmers of Maine from the sale of potatoes than from the sale of any other single crop.

By the census returns of 1860, it appears that there was raised in this State 6,325,535 bushels. Entering so largely into our farm operations, it is very important to ascertain how to raise the greatest amount at the least expense. Also what varieties, all things considered, are most desirable for farmers to cultivate. For market, the value depends as much, perhaps more, on the quality of the tubers as on the quantity raised.

We would not attempt to designate any particular variety to be cultivated exclusively. The Jackson and the Orono are probably more generally sought after, and command a higher price than almost any other varieties. We think them also less liable to disease than most others. If quantity, without regard to quality is sought for, the California, of all potatoes with which we are acquainted, is most prolific. And when planted early, on ordinary soil without manure and well ripened are a tolerable potato for table

use.

Potatoes flourish better and produce more healthy tubers, on new land, or on land that has been long pastured than on that which has been some time under cultivation. Sea dressing, where it can be obtained, such as rock-weed and eel-grass, applied in the hill proves to be a very efficacious manure for this

crop. Experience proves that barn-manure, when applied in moderate quantities in the hill, produces better results than when spread. I would recommend early planting; also to plant pretty closely, say about three feet between the rows, with the hills from one and a half to two feet apart. In regard to hilling up, there are various opinions; the most successful potato growers within my knowledge practice it.

The writer would not assume to teach the intelligent farmers of Maine the best mode of culture, but hopes by calling the attention of members of the Board to the subject, they may bring out such facts and suggestions as shall be of practical value to the community.

The report gave rise to considerable discussion on various points, and resulted in the adoption of the following, as being the only true method of settling a point of importance—namely, by experiment. It being the fault of most experiments that too much is attempted, and consequently nothing learned with certainty, it was decided that one point ascertained is better than several guessed at, and accordingly, one point only is aimed at, viz: The proper distance in planting.

Whereas, a great diversity of opinion prevails in regard to the culture of the potato-the proper distance at which they should be planted, the quantity of seed to be used for best results, &c., and

Whereas, it is desirable that conflicting opinions should be harmonized and errors in practice corrected, concerning a crop of such magnitude and importance, through the results of numerous and well conducted experiments, therefore

Resolved, That we pledge ourselves to conduct an experiment the present year, as follows: Select a piece of land of uniform quality, as near as may be; manure the whole equally; (each experimenter to determine the kind and the manner of its application for himself;) divide the piece in four equal lots ; lay out the whole in rows three feet apart.

Plant lot No. 1 in hills three feet distant.

The amount of seed to the hill to be the same throughout. The result to be reported at the next meeting of the Board, or to the Secretary.

Resolved, That we invite all farmers in the State to join us in the above named experiment, and request them to forward their results, in detail, to the Secretary, or to some member of this Board, in November next.

Mr. Fish presented the following on

TURNIP CULTURE.

If we admit, as all are ready to do, that Maine is best adapted for the growing of stock, the first thing is to ascertain how to derive the most profit from it, and all are equally ready to admit that stock pays best when well kept. Then what shall we grow in order to keep them well. The universal answer is, grass in summer. But we have long, cold winters, and it is necessary to provide winter food also to keep them in good condition. What shall this be? Common practice shows the use of straw with a little hay; but this does not keep them in good condition-they are small and poor. Ask a farmer why his stock is so poor in spring, and he will tell you he has to feed on straw. Now if it be necessary to feed out so much straw it is needful to have something to sweeten it with, and what shall we grow for this purpose? My

answer is, turnips. I believe them to be more economical than any thing else we can raise.

In England, a country noted for large and fine cattle and good beef and mutton, more account is made of the turnip crop than of hay. They truly say that without roots there must be few cattle, and with few cattle little manure, and with little manure scanty crops.

Of all the roots grown for stock, turnips can be grown cheapest, and they are used with success. Mr. Knight of Fort Fairfield, says: "Turnips may be successfully used for fattening cattle for the shambles. I have been more successful with ruta bagas as a principal food than with corn. With these as the principal food, I have had oxen gain an inch in girth per week until fit for slaughtering."

My own experience fully sustains the above. It is objected by some that turnips impart a bad flavor to milk. This is sometimes the case, but when it is, the taste can be removed by putting a piece of fresh charcoal into the milk or cream before churning.

Last winter, being short of hay, I gave my cows six quarts each of ruta bagas per day, with two-thirds hay, and one-third straw. They did quite as well as on hay alone, and there was no bad flavor to the milk. With good culture, 800 bushels per acre can be grown, or about 24 tons. Now allowing them to be worth half the price of hay (and for feeding out with straw they are) we have equal to twelve tons of hay, or the equivalent of eight acres of grass, yielding a ton and a half of hay per acre. Thus the farmer who grows an acre of turnips adds to his crops equal to eight acres of meadow, and the turnips can be grown and harvested for less than the hay of eight acres.

My method of cultivation is to plow grass ground eight inches deep, and sow with oats, or peas and oats the first year. After the grain is harvested in the fall, plow again a little deeper than before. In spring, after other crops are in, spread a good coat of manure, not too coarse, and work it in with a cultivator, then use a heavy roller until the lumps are all crushed, then harrow and brush till fit for planting. The drills are made three feet apart, using for this purpose a pair of board trucks with the axle as long as the width of the drills, confining a board in the fork of the handle to make the drill. This is pushed across the piece, and in going back one wheel runs in the track made before. This makes all the rows of equal distance, and saves much labor in after cultivation. The seed is sown by hand, pretty thick. Ashes are then put in the drills at the rate of ten bushels per acre and covered with the hoe. When the plants are up a little, more ashes are scattered when the dew is on, after which I have not been troubled with worms or bugs. When the rows can be plainly seen, I run a cultivator between them, and again eight or ten days after. Use no hoe until four or five inches high; then thin and hoe well. The after cultivation is done with a horse and cultivator.

Ruta bagas have proved as good with me as potatoes, for wintering pigs, and I have used them in preference since potatoes rotted. I have swine now which if fed with both, eat the turnips up clean first, showing plainly which they prefer.

Turnips are very valuable for sheep; if fed wholly on dry hay when they first come to the barn they are apt to have the stretches, and some juicy food is necessary to keep them in health. I have found turnips the best food for this purpose, and the cheapest grown. I prefer them to any kind of provender in the first part of the winter. Every farmer who keeps sheep should grow enough to feed to them as long as they keep good.

Flat turnips are best grown on burnt land, but they do well on pasture ground, especially when fed by sheep for some years. If sown on newly burnt land they need no hoeing. Sowing about the end of July and harvesting are all the labor requisite.

Some think turnips an exhausting crop, but such is not my experience. I raise as good grain crops and hay after turnips as after any other crop, and