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ence between the product of a poor and a good cow, if sold, would pay six per cent on a $300 cow. If these figures seemed extreme, gentlemen could modify them to suit themselves.

At the evening meeting a larger audience had assembled, including many leading agriculturists of the State. The first speaker was Prof. G. H. Whitcher, of Hanover, subject, “Experiment Stations," and his address will be found in this report. Numerous questions were asked at the close, to which satisfactory answers were given by the professor.

Hon. Joseph B. Walker continued the discussion of this subject. He said we only await the action of Congress to have our experiment station a reality. Stations in the old country have been productive of good. If we do not act in New Hampshire we shall be behind other States. He went on to state the problems which had presented themselves to him as a grass farmer. Shall I use chemicals or animal manure? These questions were not settled in his mind. As chemicals were put on the market they were imperfect, and a deficiency was apparent, as he showed; but while there was a deficiency in some of the leading elements they compelled him to buy more than was needed of others. He had used spent lime to good advantage without knowing the reason of it, until he sent a sample to Prof. Blainfield, at Hanover, who found nitrogen to a profitable extent. Facts from carefully conducted experiments were what the farmers needed.

His Excellency Governor Sawyer was present during the evening and spoke interestingly of his farming experience, more especially in regard to the use of fertilizers. The farmers were pleased with the manner and spirit of his remarks, as he explained the difficulties which he had encountered in a series of experiments trying to reduce bones by power for use on his extensive grass farm. He called attention to the enormous waste of fertility in the scourings of the yolky fine wools of his and other large woolen factories, the shrinkage of such wools being something like sixty-five per cent. Much potash must here run to waste. Regarding alfalfa, he said it sprung up on his waste piles made from California wool, but invariably winter-killed. He now grinds bones successfully and mixes with unleached. ashes for a grass fertilizer. His remarks were heartily applauded.

Rev. Mr. Parker, who is acquainted with California and Dakota, was invited to speak. He gave the good side of the agriculture of most sections of the United States, showing the vastness of a large California wheat enterprise where the plowman stopped to dine in the midst of his furrow, and lodged at the other end, returning next day. He also spoke of the juices of the vine, and the raisins, apricots, and other semi-tropical fruits. He was glad of the interest manifested in New Hampshire agriculture, as it was the basis of all industries.

Prof. C. H. Pettee, of Hanover, next spoke a word for agricultural colleges, relating the drawbacks attending their beginning under the Morrill act. He said this institution was designed expressly for the sons of farmers and artisans, and the farmers have been slow to appreciate its advantages. He thought there was nothing to fear and much to be gained by connection with other well-equipped classical colleges.

Mr. A. W. Cheever, of Dedham, Mass., agricultural editor of the "New England Farmer," said men of his age could remember when farmers knew no such thing as an experiment station, and they were not prepared for the situation when the act was passed, other and wiser men having foreseen the needs of this vast country's future in agricultural development. There were no men then found to fill the chairs of professors of agriculture, and it was still difficult, although the colleges were now graduating such. We must not expect too much from experiment stations before they are fairly on their feet. He was glad of an opportunity of listening to this first lecture on the work for stations which he had just heard. He referred to the visit of Dr. Sturtevant to Europe for the purpose of studying the subject there.

Mr. Walker said farmers had shown the most prejudice and opposition to this movement in the beginning. He now hoped they would bid it God speed. We lack for precedents to govern us, but we should be willing to go slow and have patience. We shall reap a benefit in the end.

Mr. Hazen said: "How can we expect to keep our farms up unless there is some one to point out the road while we are constantly selling its fertility? Let us aid this enterprise by our sympathies and every means in our power."

The secretary read a letter at the close of the discussion from Hon. John D. Lyman, of Exeter, who was to speak on forestry, saying that he was unavoidably absent, having been called to New York to attend a forestry convention.

The exercises were enlivened with music by Capital Grange choir, and the "Bobolink" was finely rendered by Miss Sarah E. Hart, of Concord.

At this point adjournment was made.

The morning session of Thursday was opened with an address by Prof. C. H. Pettee, of the Agricultural College, Hanover, on "The Present Status of Agricultural Colleges," which will be found in this volume. A discussion ensued at the close of the address heartily indorsing and supporting the Agricultural College.

Mr. Philbrick said our Agricultural College should have the sympathy and support of the farmers. He thought it had done much good despite the prejudices. They should give the enterprise their support.

Mr. Rossiter, of Claremont, said he indorsed the remarks of the last gentleman.

Mr. L. T. Hazen, of Whitefield, said experiment stations combine both theory and practice. He was employing a graduate of the college and paid him six dollars a month more than he would otherwise give him, as such knowledge made his services valuable. What was wanted was the theory, then the practice.

Chairman Humphrey was glad to see a disposition to sustain the college.

Mr. F. H. Colby, of Hopkinton, a college student, said a few words in praise of the same.

Mr. J. L. Gerrish, of Webster, said he believed the college was turning out good goods, and that was the best advertisement they could have.

Mr. N. F. Lund, of Concord, president of the State Poultry Association, delivered an address upon "The Poultry Industry," published in full in this report. A discussion followed the presentation of the subject.

Mr. Philbrick asked if the larger varieties ate more than the small, as he could not find out as they did.

Mr. Lund thought they would, as the smaller kinds commenced to lay earlier.

Mr. Philbrick had tried the different breeds, and the cost per day was about three fourths of a cent.

Mr. C. H. Waterhouse, Short Falls, asked: Why are the dark eggs richer? Will feed affect the quality?

Mr. Lund: Yes.

Mr. McDaniel: Is it profitable to buy the patent feeds?

Mr. Lund: Yes, in health of the fowls.

Mr. Philbrick: I feed lime, but the eggs are soft shelled; what shall I do?

Mr. Lund: Feed lime in some other form.

Question: How about iron for their health?

Mr. Lund Feed copperas in small doses, or water in a rusty trough.

Before closing, Mr. Lund called attention to the great waste of hen manure, which he regarded as an excellent fertilizer, worth much more than it was usually reckoned when sold. He would mix four parts of loam with one of manure.

Mr. L. T. Hazen, of Whitefield, delivered an address upon "Ensilage," which will be found in this report. At the close of the address Mr. J. G. Tallant, of East Concord, asked what kind of corn he raised.

He answered: The larger western corn, but the larger kinds of flint corn might be raised farther south than his locality and the ears picked off.

Mr. Charles McDaniel, of Springfield, asked if he had fed it to sheep.

Mr. Hazen: I have not.

Question: Will the fumes of a bad silo affect milk?

Mr. Hazen: Yes.

Hon. D. H. Goodell, of Antrim, next spoke. He said ensilage was the best feed in winter one could possibly have, and in his section young cattle could be made to grow more on ensilage and grain than in the pasture. He was satisfied that the silo had come to stay when he built his in 1881. He felt the same to

day. Ensilage feed would not only make more milk, but he had demonstrated that it made more spaces of cream, as he sold it. He had personal knowledge of but one man who was dissatisfied with the silo among all the ensilage men he had talked with in the last seven years. He would give more for the actual experience with his cows than for the theories of the most distinguished men in the matter. He had cows that had been fed on it into the seventh winter, and they remained healthy. He had in some cases fed his young stock entirely on ensilage. He would not recommend to feed more than two thirds. Cattle like a change, whether fed on ensilage or anything else. His cows would give more milk when fed twice a day than when they had a noon feed.

Question: When you say once a day, do you mean that you give all your morning or evening feed, as the case may be, at one time?

Mr. Goodell: No. But I give nothing in the middle of the day; all my cattle lie down quietly then.

Mr. Waterhouse said he got a can of milk more when he omitted the noon feed.

Mrs. A. G. Marshall read an original poem entitled "Nineteen Hundred and Eighty-eight," which was greeted with enthusiastic applause. On motion of the secretary, a unanimous vote of thanks was extended Mrs. Marshall for the poem.

At the afternoon session, Mr. Charles McDaniel, of Springfield, member of the Board from Sullivan county and master of the State Grange, delivered an address upon "The Purposes of the Grange," and it will be found in this report. At the close of this address, the subject of ensilage was again taken up, and Prof. Whitcher said that he believed some of the large varieties of flint or of sweet corn were better per acre than the "fishingpole" varieties. The smaller kinds were more mature and contained more nutriment. He raised twenty-five tons per acre, and doubted if fifty could be produced. He could raise three fourths as much northern corn, by weight, as southern. It was nearly mature, September 5, and put in the silo ears and all together. It was in a more mature condition than southern, containing much less water.

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