Year: 1873

healthy sod to give future crops. We
hope Mr.. Hubbard will forward his ad-
dress in full to the press. Mrs. Maria
P. Rice, of Springfield, not being pres
ent, her essay ON Science of common
things" was read by Mr.. Hubbard, and
heartily cheered by the members pres
ent. 1t was full of thought and good
sense, and written in digni6ed style,
showing just appreciation of her posi-
tion as farmers wife, and appealing to
the younger members of her sex, to edu-
cate themselves in the interest of the
farm, that they might become the or
naments of their race, the pride of socie-
ty, and the dignity of home; assuring
them that since they were no longer left
out in the cold, it was their duty, not to
lead the farmer, but to lessen the weari-
ness of his labor, by cheerfully lending
a helping hand.


How shall we keep our young men on
the farm9 was the subject of an essay.
read by M. w. Davis, written by a
Westminster farmers wife, name not
given. 1t was an able production and
worthy the commendation it received.


Another essay was presented on the
subject of butter making, by a lady OF
Westminster, whose name was not given.
What is true of the former is true of this
with the additional fact that none
but a practical butter maker could
have written such an article. Mo-
ton was made and seconed by members
of the Board and voted by the house
that these essays be published in full.
Will present them next week.


DIR. Cutting presented very interest
ing and instructive lecture on Parasites
of Domestic Animals" and Revelations
of the Microscope; showing many Illus
trations worthy of remembrance. The
DIR. is talker, and worker, but one
needs to see and become acquainted with
him to appreciate the man.


FIFTH SESSION, FRIDAY EVENING.
A. B. Halbert, Esq, addressed the
meeting upon the subject of highways,
showing the importance of an improved
system of management, and presenting
in their true lights the dispositions of
highway surveyors to shirk their duty
and misuse the money over which they
have control, proving very clearly. that
disinterestedness and poor judgment in
the management of highways, was a
shameful and unnecessary drawback in
the proper condition of our highways.


Mr.. Douglass, before mentioned, read
paper on the "Ice House." giving an
interesting description of the manner of
construction, and the advantage of plac-
ing it entirely above ground, showing
that by SO doing proper circulation of
air could be given to prevent loss of ice.
Recommended saw-dust to be used at the
bottom of the ice,and to cover the same.
DR.. Cutting thought an improvement on
the plan of using saw-dust at the bottom
of an ice house, was to roof it with
strong boards, not in the usual manner
of roofing, but as though the water was
to run sup hill,' then by affording a
space between each board the water from
each cake of ice would be allowed to
drip. J at 7


Secretary Collier was called by sever
al voices from the audience to which
he responded. His subject, Agricultu-
raj chemistry" was Interestingly treated,
showing that the vegetable world derives
its food from two sources, the atmos-
phere and earth, that though they re-
ceived not more than five per cent from
the earth they we're nevertheless inde-
spensible. Showing by analysis that of
the sixty-fve elements existing on the
earth, plants select for their food but a
small number. Carbon, oxygen, hydro
gen and nitrogen, being obtained direct
ly or indirectly from the atmosphere, the
remainder furnished by the soil. Con-
cerning the trade in commercial fertil-
izers he spoke in brief, assuring the far
mers that they we're at the mercy of the
the manufacturers, notwithstanding, they
were habitually cautious about introduc-
ing new ways into their practice and
averse to parting with their money ex.
cept for value received and asserting
as his belief that there we're but two
ways to remedy the evil, one by growth
of intelligence, the other by fixed law
compelling the manufacturer to label
every package, showing the constituents
present in the fertilizer and the per
centage composition, and compelling the
seller to pay damages in case the article
fails to answer an analysis.


Thus closed an interesting and profit.
able meeting. Of such men as compose
this Board together with many friends
we met from abroad we feel to say: II
is good to be with them, good to think
1 &c tbap, eyood 70 foa1 that thara ;u q No.