there have been no applications for premiums under the first class, from which something might be learned as to the actual value of the substances used as manures. Under the second class, however, a statement has been submitted to them by Allen Putnam, Editor of the New England Farmer, whose remarks in that Journal and elsewhere have placed his name among the list of those whose noble object has been to advance the cause of agriculture. Mr. Putnam has probably the present year done more for that cause than in any former year. Having purchased a small farm in Hamilton, of that light kind of soil which prevails so extensively in that region, he has set to work in good earnest, without the aid of a large manure pile, to improve the quality of his land. The method by which this has been attempted will be seen by an examination of his statement. Such efforts deserve success, and cannot fail to ensure it. That he has already succeeded in accumulating and applying a large quantity of valuable compost manure, cannot be doubted. The exact value of the various composts prepared by him, as no experiments have been submitted, cannot be stated. While these would have been highly gratifying the present year, yet as the crops on Mr. Putnam's farm were severely injured by the hail storm on the last of June, it would have been difficult to arrive at any certain conclusions in the premises. Should the next season prove favorable, it is to be hoped that he will lay before the public the result of his experiments, particularly those of the application of spent or salt ley, of which he is making such copious use. This article being so much more bulky than other uncommon articles of manure, the expense of transportation will enter materially into the estimate of its value to the farmer. As there were no other statements but that of Mr. Putnam, the Committee have concluded to recommend, as they cordially do, that the second premium of twenty dollars, under the second class, be awarded him. For the Committee, ALLEN W. DODGE. Hamilton, Dec. 30, 1841. ALLEN PUTNAM'S STATEMENT. To the Committee on Compost Manures: GENTLEMEN-I propose to give you a statement of the amount of compost applied on my small farm of forty acres, and of the quantity now prepared for use. As to premium, I have no desire to have you feel the slightest obligation to give any, unless the rules under which you act shall require you to recommend one. It is known to some of your number, that I purchased my farm in the autumn of 1839, and that in the spring of 1840 I moved and repaired all the buildings on the place. Operations on the farm were commenced April 1st,1841, with one hired man, and one yoke of oxen. In May, I purchased $10.50 worth of cow manure, 16 bushels of ground bones for $6, 5 bbls of poudrette $10, and 1200 galls. spent or salt ley $4, making in all $30.50. These articles, excepting the poudrette, mixed in very varied proportions with rotting hay and muck found in the old barn and hog yard, and with soil from under and around the old buildings, furnished 58 loads of compost, which were applied to the land in the spring and early summer. Dung, with the articles around the old buildings, 20 loads. Salt ley, with Salt ley and bone, 66 66 66 66 Besides the above, I used thirty loads of the materials from around the old buildings, unmixed. Also, 2 loads of ox manure, 5 barrels of poudrette, about 120 lbs of nitrate of soda, and one bushel of common salt, equal to 33 loads. In August, I spread unmixed 100 bushels of barilla ashes upon low grass lands, 3 loads. In September, 1 spread 100 bushels of barilla, mixed with soil upon land that I was then seeding to grass-compost, 27 66 Amount brought up. rye, 12 In the same month put upon winter bushels of bone, unmixed. Also, 12 bushels bone, mixed with soil and ley, In October, spread upon grass lands, compost of loam, ox manure and hog manure, Have applied of compost, 66 66 66 not compounded, 36 besides the poudrette, nitrate of soda, and salt. At the present time I have on hand fit for use, three large heaps of soil, into which about 6000 gallons of ley have been put, and the heaps have been hove over two and one of them three times. My men think that these heaps contain about 150 loads, but as it is matter of estimation, I propose to call the quantity Also 100 bushels of barilla in 4 or 5 loads of Also, two casks of lime and nine bushels of salt in two loads of soil and muck, Now prepared, Also, there is at this time, in my barn cellar, a compost of muck, ox manure, horse manure, pig manure, and the emptyings of the sink drains and privy, 8 or ten loads, say 100 loads. 109 66 8 66 117 6.6 In addition to the above, I have about 90 loads of soil in beds for the reception of ley the ensuing winter, into which 1200 gallons has already been put. Probably, I have 100 loads of meadow muck, dug at this time, which is designed for use the ensuing spring and summer. Should the weather permit, I shall probably add to my heap of soil an hundred loads, in the course of a few weeks, and to my muck heap a still larger quantity. My loads are probably something above 35 bushels generally. The stock on my farm was, from April to August, one yoke of oxen only. In August, I purchased two pigs; in October, three more, and recently have procured four heifers. A horse also is kept on the place at present, but it is not mine, and is not employed in the work on the farm. From April 1st to the last of June, I hired but one man; since June 28, I have employed two. Very respectfully yours, Hamilton, Nov. 26, 1841. ALLEN PUTNAM. ON THE DAIRY. The Committee on the Dairy, consisting of Dean Robinson, Joseph How, Nathaniel Felton, Jesse Sheldon, and William R. Putnam, report as follows: The number of entries were few, compared with some former years; but the quality was good, equaling, if not exceeding that of any preceding year. Entries of June butter were made by Daniel Putnam, of Danvers, a tub of 41 lbs; Joshua Lovett, of Beverly, 33 lbs; Benj. Boynton, of Andover, 28 lbs and Wm. R. Putnam, of Wenham, 45 lbs, the whole of which was of fine appearance and high flavor. They award the first premium of eight dollars to Joshua Lovett; the second of six dollars to Daniel Putnam, and the third of four dollars to Wm. R. Putnam. And of September butter, by Margaret Wardwell, of Andover, Nathaniel Felton, of Danvers, Peabody Illsley, of West Newbury, Joshua Lovett, of Beverly, and Phineas C. Balch, of Newbury,-this was also very good, and but little difference in the quality. The Committee were some time in determining to whom the premiums should be awarded, but after a careful examination, they award the first premium of ten dollars to Margaret Wardwell, the second of eight dollars to Nathaniel Felton, and the third of six dollars to Peabody Illsley. Isaac Carruth, of Andover, entered six cheeses of small size, but very good, and he is entitled to the first premium of ten dollars. Four were entered by Miss Mary T. Thurlow, of West Newbury, which would have entitled her to the second premium, had her statement been sufficient to have brought her claim within the rules of the society; but as the cheeses were large, fair and good, and managed by a young lady of only seventeen, the committee recommend to her a gratuity of five dollars. Which is respectfully submitted. For the Committee, Georgetown, Sept. 29, 1841. DEAN ROBINSON. JOSHUA LOVETT'S STATEMENT. To the Committee on the Dairy: GENTLEMEN I present for your inspection a firkin of butter, containing thirty-three pounds, made in the month of June, it being a part of the butter from the milk of four cows, which had no other feed than a common pasture. The milk was preserved in a dairy cellar, well lighted and ventilated, and used exclusively for the purpose of the dairy; it was strained into tin pans, the pans well scalded each time they were used, and kept twenty-four hours, when the cream was separated, while the milk was perfectly sweet, and put in tin vessels, and occasionally stirred. It was churned twice each week, and when the butter was gathered, it was separated from the buttermilk and washed in pure cold water, and wrought with the hands; the washings repeated until the buttermilk was thoroughly extracted, so that the water was clear. Then it was salted in part, and set in a cool place in the cellar, or suspended in the well until the next day, when it was worked again with the hands, and salted to the taste with fine salt sifted through a sieve, and set in the cellar twenty-four hours, then packed down into the firkin in layers, sprinkling a little salt between each, and leaving a space around the sides of the firkin of half an inch until full; the space around |