Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1873-03-18
agricultural
Massachusetts, State Board or
Horticulture.

n,c, ~~arily changed. Hon. Marshall Z.
Wi,lrr. who was expected 10 be present
at this hour and open the discussion OF
Fruit and Vegetable culture, being nn'
avoidably absent, the Hon Levi Stock
bridge. Professor OF Agriculture in the
Massachusetts Agricultural College, took
the desk. and announced the subject Tor
discussion to be "MOiciNg and Pasture
Lagds."
The speaker commenced by referring
To- the efforts that had already been made
by the Board Of Agriculture to enlight-
eu the people of the State on this very
important subject Spoke OF the writ
mos ct Secretary Flint. Air. Hyde. OF Lee
ard Mr.. johnson, OF Framngham. by
publishing these papers great amount
ol valuable information had been spread
.aroaJ over our State Now what has
l,ccn the effect OF all this? What the in
Aurnce on The public? What Is now the
practice of the iarmerss In 1863, Mas
-.,rhusetts cut less hay than IA 1882 II
there isauy dependence TO 6e placed on the
census reports. Judging 10y the con'nao"
Drlct.ce, The hSy crop l. OF little eonSe-
quence. Common practice indicates that
suv land is good enough to grow hay
and then shat the qualify OF the hay i OF
little account; is not worth taking much
pains about. One Kind OF hay about as
good as another Only get The barns
filed, and IL Is not much matter what
they arc flied with Then the condition
"a the fields. whether rough or smooth.
iich or lean, Is Of little consequence. II
fields are manured, il is done late IN tall
on frozen ground. aud the manure left IN
heaps, till spring. or the manure Is APP
piled in coarse Jumps and leiI 10 dry and
waste. doing the gIaSS plants but very
li,tle good 50 the common practice III
dictates that it Is not best to spread any
thing but manure. Nor does the tramp
iug OF cattle, or the gnawiug clear down
10 the roots OF the grass do any serious
harm. Then. too. those pastures are
best that produce the greatest amount OF
bushes and brakes aud weeds Nor Is 1t
worth while To ever manure pasture
lands. or carry anything on to replace
what has been, and Is constantly being
taken Of. Judging by the prevailing
practices. these are the opinions OF the
public.
Does this agree with the teachings OF
The Board OF Agriculture They say
the nay and grass crops OF The United
States are worth annually 500 to GOO mil.
lions OF dollars. They say. do not sell
your hay unless you wish 10 gov poor.
Raise it on Your best grass land. Then
ocep il in grass. Use the best manure
you have, both animal and mineral, and
make best composis YOU know how to.
and apply always in tho fall. and the
earlier the better; IT possible, Just as
soon Is q crop IS removed. Il then acts
IS a mulch and gives the grass good
growth in the fall that will protect the
plants thruu the winter. and make il
>lrcug for the next year Do not be too
ayayicious. Cutting close weaScas the
roots OF all. and entirely destroys some
varieties. Never feed or cut late In the
tall, but leave sufficient groN tn on the
ground 10 ensure against winter killing.
Once brought into grass, Aeepil in grass
without ploughinS. SOW a great variety
OF seeds, two or three kinds OF clover,
timothy, redlop, orchard gas. blue
EyaSs. &c Then OF our pastures. the
Board says, they are growing poorer and
poorer every year. Formally they pro.
duced plenty OF good beef. butter and
cheese. Nov II Is Tie reverse. Ono Of
the causes that has brought about jhi,
change Is. that We have been making
animal structures from these pastures.
selling them. and returning nothing 4 |
part has been used 20 enrich other fields.
out much leaves the fam forever tor the
sea, through the sewers OF the cities
From one-iouih to oue-ihird OF our
pasture land should never have been
taken from the forest. The hills, many
o.. them. should not only be allowed. but
assisted 10 get back TO the forest They |
would then shelter our fields, soften our
climate, and give Us gentle rains instead
ot damaging foods. The members Of
che Board have faith to believe. indeed |
they .H'C, that We must return what has |
been carried OF. The pastures have |
been robbed OF bones. OF nitrogen. OF
phosphate OF lime. and potash. These
can al be returned to the land by top
dressing. We caH do it, The remainder |
Of these lands should then be cultivated |
by the plough. This is what the Board |
Of Agriculture tells you. And say this |
Is the gospel in relation TO moving and |
pasture. The hay crop alone is rated at
value Of 400 millions Of dollars annu- |
ally in the United States. But then this |
Is not money value. As much 81 il is /
never sold, but Is consumed at home. Ii
Is crop, however, having money val. |
Ne. and rs such. wish to call your at.
ieniion 10 few facts having bearing
on the subject. There are 100 900 ami |
mails in Massachusetts that arc not on /
farms. These consume 200. 900 tons of |
hay that is bought, and this makes Il
home demand. We ought to supply this