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benefits of co-operation and organization that is not seen among other classes. We believe the agriculture of New Hampshire sustains one of its greatest needs in the way of organization. It is true that the Grange is accomplishing much in this direction, yet more than one half the towns of the State are without any farmers' organization. We earnestly recommend organized effort.

Mr. J. L. Gerrish, of Webster, who had accompanied the representatives of the Board, presented the subject of sheep husbandry, and his address will be found in the appropriate place in this report. Chairman Noyes spoke of sheep husbandry as specially adapted to Coös county, and was followed by other gentlemen present in an interesting discussion. Considerable interest was manifested in creameries, and the remainder of the evening was devoted to this subject, the leading features of the different systems being discussed by Mr. Gerrish and the secretary. The immediate prospect of the advantages of a new railroad in this section has caused a renewed interest in farming, and perhaps the time is not far distant when the closed starch factories of Coös county will be opened for creameries, for the support of which the rich pastures and abundant hay crop are well adapted. The attendance at this meeting and interest manifested in the subjects presented exceeded the anticipations of the Board.

COLEBROOK.

The forenoon of the day following the meeting at Stewartstown was spent in inspecting the farm and stock owned by Mr. Noyes, who has been referred to by a previous writer as one of the best farmers in New Hampshire. His farm is located on one of the heavy swells of land abounding in this vicinity. One hundred tons of hay is the crop annually grown and fed to thoroughbred Durham stock and some of the finest grade Durham and Hereford steers we have yet seen. He also has a superior flock of cross-bred sheep. Fourteen hundred bushels of potatoes, grown on five acres of land, were a fine lot, and have already been sold for the Boston market, waiting shipment until the opening of the railroad.

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Afternoon and evening sessions were held at the town hall in the village of Colebrook, the speakers and subjects being similar to those of the previous day, with the exception of a strong re-enforcement in the person of Hon. J. D. Lyman, of Exeter, member of the Board from Rockingham county, who presented the subject of improvements in agriculture and forestry. Mr. Lyman's address is published in full in this report. Numerous questions upon the subjects presented were asked by the audience, and a good degree of interest manifested.

STRATFORD.

Mr. Noyes accompanied the representatives of the Board to North Stratford the next morning, where we parted company with our intelligent and genial friend, and went by train to Stratford Hollow. At this place the people had been misinformed as to the time of meeting, so that in the afternoon it was not large, although there were some leading farmers present from quite a distance, besides those living near the village. Mr. Gerrish first gave a sheep talk, in a familiar way, being followed by numerous questions by the few sheep farmers present, which evidenced an increased interest in sheep husbandry in this section. Mr. Lyman made an unusually strong talk on the encouraging features for the consideration of the farmers and citizens of New Hampshire.

An evening session being desired, although not advertised on the bills, it was thought best to hold one, at which a good audience was present, including a large number of farm boys, who listened to appropriate words from Mr. Lyman, in continuation of his talk of the afternoon. Mr. Gerrish and the secretary occupied the remainder of the evening in general remarks on the agriculture of the State.

WHITEFIELD.

At Whitefield on the following day two sessions were held in the Grange Hall at Hazen's Mills. Two spirited talks were given by Mr. Lyman, and the subject of sheep husbandry, presented by

Mr. Gerrish, brought out an interesting discussion from Messrs. Grant and King, of Whitefield, Captain and J. W. Farr, of Littleton, and others. Remarks of a general nature were made by the secretary, closing one of the best meetings of the series. Seven sessions were held during the four days, one more than was advertised, and the interest and attendance were very satisfactory.

CARROLL COUNTY.

WOLFEBOROUGH.

The series of institutes in Carroll county by the Board of Agriculture was arranged to open at Wolfeborough on the afternoon of November 15. The severe rainstorm prevented holding the afternoon session and seriously interfered with the attendance in the evening, yet about fifty of the more energetic farmers of the town assembled at Union Hall. The meeting was called to order by Chairman Humphrey, who briefly alluded to the object of the meeting and the importance of discussing questions relating to the great subject of agriculture. After referring to experience in corn culture and urging the importance of a larger production, he introduced Hon. J. B. Walker, of Concord, who spoke upon the subject of grasses. Mr. Walker said, in substance:

There is a vast amount to be learned in the growth of grass. Three essential points may be considered: the quality of land, tillage, and manuring. Grass should be grown on grass land. Corn can be produced for one half the expense on land adapted to its growth, and twice the amount of grass can be grown on moist grass land that can be produced on dry soil. Grass has many plants to the square foot, and is constantly throwing off moisture. The moisture must be in the soil. Frequent rains are essential for a heavy grass crop, and drought is its worst enemy. Something can be done to avoid the most serious results of a

drought. Formerly land was continued a long period in grass, but it is now considered better to plow frequently; would plow grass land once in five years. It is not so much matter whether we have moisture on the leaves, but must have it at the roots. Keep the soil in condition to use all the moisture possible; would plow deep and make a good seed bed, so that the moisture, or dew, at night will work downward. Moist land and making the seed bed light and porous are two important points grass culture.

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As we have stated, another important point is the feeding of grass land. In raising a crop of grass we should inquire what are the ingredients of the crop, what parts will be found in the soil, and what must be supplied. The soil will supply all ingredients for a crop of grass except nitrogen, phosphoric acid, and potash. Where shall we obtain these three elements? The superphosphates are not the best sources of these elements for continued grass crops. They will, in the long run, reduce the vegetable supply of the soil. The farmer who raises grass must have stable manure, and to succeed must make its manufacture a regular part of the farm business. The speaker referred to the use of tannery lime, and said five cords produced as good results on his farm as the same quantity of stable manure; had used ashes with poor success. Moist land, destitute of potash, will produce good crops of grass with ashes. Raise grass on moist land, not wet land. Topdressing can be followed, if the soil is open and porous, allowing the solution to penetrate. Plow often, cultivate thoroughly, and your land is in the best condition to appropriate whatever may come along.

Only the leading points made have been reported, each being enlarged upon and considered in detail by the speaker. Mr. Walker's address was well received, and numerous questions asked at the close. It is needless to state, for the fact is already known, that Mr. Walker is one of the best grass farmers in New Hampshire.

The subject of dairying was then presented by the secretary, and the address will be found in this report.

Chairman Humphrey spoke upon winter feeding, followed by

a general discussion of the subject by the farmers present. The discussion was interesting and profitable, bringing out many important facts in connection with the subject.

OSSIPEE.

The institute on the following day was held at Ossipee Center, with an afternoon and an evening session, and as on the previous day the evening session was the best attended. The afternoon session was occupied with general remarks upon agriculture by the chairman, and the presentation of the subject of grass culture by Mr. Walker, followed with a discussion of the same. The evening session was opened by the secretary, upon "The Needs of New Hampshire Agriculture," after which Mr. Walker delineated in a highly interesting manner some of the features of agriculture in the South, as observed in a recent trip through that section of the country. Rev. N. M. Bailey and others present made remarks, after which the institute was closed with practical suggestions by the chairman upon the blessings of work.

SANDWICH.

A twenty-mile ride by stage the next morning brought the representatives of the Board to Sandwich Center, one of the best farming towns of Carroll county. The afternoon session was held in the vestry of the church, where a good-sized audience assembled. W. H. H. Mason, M. D., of Moultonborough, member of the Board from Carroll county, was present, and called the institute to order. The subjects discussed were stock breeding and corn raising, the leading remarks on which were made by Chairman Humphrey. The speaker was put under cross-fire questioning by the audience, followed by an animated and profitable discussion.

The evening session was held in the church, and was attended by two hundred or more of as intelligent and interested farmers and their families as could be gathered in any section of the State. Dr. Mason delivered an address upon "The Care and

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