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, Mr. Walker said, in who spoke upon the subject of grasses.

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. many plants to the square foot, and is constantly throwing off 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

moisture.

Grass has

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 culture.

in grass

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 I 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

Diseases of Animals," and we regret our inability to present it to our readers. He described the first symptoms of the more common and dangerous diseases to which farm animals are liable, and advised the course to be taken by the owner. He showed the fallacy of many common practices in cases of diseased animals, and pointed out the correct course to pursue. The close attention of the audience was held during the entire address of about an hour, and no abstract report we could make would do it justice in the least. The secretary presented the subject of dairying, and by the request of farmers present followed with a half hour's talk upon the Grange and its benefits. Chairman Humphrey followed with general remarks upon the advancement made in agriculture, making specially prominent the fact that farming of to-day, with all the improved implements and methods, required far less muscular labor than when he was actively engaged upon the farm. He urged the young men, with characteristic earnestness, to stick to the farm, for there was to be found the most peaceful, happy, and respected life. This closed the most successful institute of the week.

GRAFTON COUNTY.

RUMNEY.

The first of the series in Grafton county was held at West Rumney, December 6. Mr. J. E. Carr, of Haverhill, member of the Board for Grafton county, presided at this and the following institutes of the week. The afternoon session was devoted to the subject of fertilizers, opening with an address by Prof. G. H. Whitcher, superintendent of the College Farm at HanoProfessor Whitcher presents the subject in a familiar and practical way, and his address appears in full in this report. The questions and discussion which followed the address evinced the deep interest taken in this subject by the enterprising farmers of Rumney.

ver.

There was a larger attendance at the evening session, and a varied program was presented. Chairman Carr read a paper upon "The Use and Care of Farm Implements and Machinery," which appears in the report. Mr. G. S. Philbrick, of Tilton, member of the Board from Belknap county, discussed the question of milk and feed, giving the results of experiments in a way that carried weight with his statements and interested all. He showed how he had reduced the cost of the production of milk by the use of the silo and the added grain feed necessary to make up a perfect feed. He had found the use of one half pint of cheap "dead sweet" molasses an economical feed in addition. This kind of feeding run his milk, which he sends to Boston, from a standard below what the law requires up to about fourteen per cent of solids.

Mr. Gerrish presented the subject of sheep husbandry, a profitable discussion following. The secretary gave a talk on private dairying, and in the discussion which followed, Mr. W. D. Baker, of Quincy, advanced valuable suggestions. A report of the meeting would not be complete without mention of the interest and efforts of B. A. Hall and A. O. Weeks, of West Rumney, in arranging for and advertising the same.

HAVERHILL.

An institute was held in the town hall, North Haverhill, on the following day, and as might be expected in this enterprising farming town, an excellent institute was held. The afternoon session was devoted to sheep husbandry, by Mr. Gerrish, and farm machinery, by Chairman Carr, closing with a brief address by Mr. Philbrick upon the advancement being made in agriculture.

The evening session was opened by Mr. Philbrick, on specialties in farming. He gave a history of the business as conducted on his father's farm when he was a boy, and spoke of the change in time and methods, saying that competition at the present time made it necessary to figure accurately, in order to reduce production to its lowest possible cost. He gave an extended history of experiments conducted on his farm and urged farmers