The chairman spoke of the fact that like sentiments had been expressed to-day by Col. Clough, who, though an original opponent to the institution, now warmly commended it, since becoming familiar with its plan of operations.

James Wood, Esq., introduced a resolution of thanks to the board, which was adopted.

In response the chairman expressed his satisfaction with the success of the meeting. He explained the purposes of the board and how they were to be made effective. The aim was to bring the subject of agriculture before the people in all its proper bearings, and the board felt repaid for their efforts, in the success which had attended them, and the interest manifested wherever meetings

had been held.

At this point the meeting adjourned, but many lingered to exchange congratulations on the success of this first, but not last, attempt to bring the farmers of Lebanon and vicinity into consultation, and in direct contact with the more advanced and successfull agriculturists of the state and of other states.

MEETING AT DERRY.

The sixth meeting of the board was held at Derry on the 23d of February, and was one of the very best of the series. It was held in the Town Hall, under the arrangements of the Derry farmers' club.

Mr. H. P. Hood, president of the club, called to order, and, after a few remarks, introduced chairman Humphrey, who took charge of the meeting, with a few introductory words regarding farmers' meetings and the future intention of the board. He suggested that farming interests have been neglected, when by proper care they might be made most profitable. The object of the board is to create an interest, and revive the cause of agriculture.

The first hour was occupied by Joseph Kidder, Esq., of Manchester, who considered in an able manner some of the "Obstacles in the way of the farmer's success."

The discussion that followed was maintained by Judge Roberts of Rollinsford, Messrs. Underhill and Rice of Derry, Hills of Windham, Lawrence of Epping, and Clark of Londonderry.

Hon. Simon Brown was called up and made a happy and effective speech of a half hour on the needed culture of the farmer.

An evening session was held, at which an increased number of citizens was present, and manifested their interest by earnest attention and frequent applause.

The leading exercise of the evening consisted of a "Comparison between New Hampshire and other New England states," by J. F. Lawrence of Epping, followed by Col. Clough, who fully endorsed the sentiment that our state was near the head of the list.

Further remarks were made by Judge French, of Massachusetts, on the position our state holds, and on milk producing and farming matters in general.

Joseph B. Walker, Esq., of Concord, spoke of the "leaks" in farming, and, among other things, said that the average loss of fertilizing matter from each household of New Hampshire amounted to $25 each, making $750,000 throughout the state.. He closed with an appeal to the people of the state to arouse themselves to make the state nobler, wealthier and better.

Warren Brown, Esq., of Hampton Falls, detailed his experience as a farmer, showing his efforts to improve his farm, which, although involving a large expenditure, had, nevertheless, proved remunerating.

Gov. Brown spoke of the disadvantages under which our housewives are obliged to labor, and maintained that they should be provided with all possible advantages and conveniences for doing their arduous labors.

The meeting closed at a little past nine, having been enthusiastic in its character, and, we trust, valuable in its influences.

MEETING AT CHESTER.

At 10 o'clock on Friday, February 24th, a good number of farmers from Chester and adjoining towns assembled at the Town Hall on Chester street. The meeting was called to order by Hon. T. J. Melvin, president of the town society, who, after a little talk, introduced Hon. Moses Humphrey, president of the board, who presided. Mr. Humphrey stated to the meeting the object of the board, and related some interesting facts regarding its reception at other places.

The first formal exercise in the forenoon was the reading of a paper on "Grasses and Forage Plants," by George F. Beede, Esq., of Fremont. Mr. Beede is a practical farmer of the progressive order, who has never ventured to make a speech or to appear publicly as an agriculturist. He has had experience and been accustomed to observe results of experiments, and speaks from actual knowledge and proof. The paper occupied nearly an hour in the reading, and was listened to with great interest. A discussion followed Mr. Beede's remarks, in which Mr. Melvin, Mr. Lawrence and others engaged.

Col. Clough thought, though the paper had many excellent suggestions, the policy recommended of growing more grass, roots and fodder corn was not of general application. He favored corn growing, the raising of cattle and swine, and feeding out grain, corn fodder and hay, and selling animals. We need mixed farming to bring in a profit and keep up the farm. On his light and intervale lands he could not succeed with the culture practiced by Mr. Beede. We must be constantly increasing the fertility of our farm, if we would make a profit. He would teach the boys to farm and not let them leave home until they knew how, even though they never practiced farming.

Mr. Walker, of Concord, believes in increasing the hay crop, and if Mr. Beede's theory is correct, Mr. W. is sure of accomplishing a long-desired object. He raised corn, but planted less than he once did, because he could not get labor easily. He didn't want men to feel that there is no profit in corn. He had once grown

corn for fifty cents a bushel; recently it cost him seventy cents, and then he found a profit of sixty cents, or $30 an acre, and he expressed a doubt if more than that could be realized from grass. He approved Mr. Beede's plan of rolling in grass seed, and commended the revolving horse rake with wheels.

Mr. Warren Brown, of Hampton Falls, said he understood Mr. Melvin, of Chester, to say that his town (Chester) bought five thousand bushels of western corn yearly. "Why," said he, "the little town of Hampton Falls does that and loses nothing, while Hampton bought, last year, fifty-two thousand bushels."

He advocated grass growing, especially on land adapted to grass. He would not attempt to thwart nature, except in cases of clear advantage. He held to plowing impoverished grass land in August and seeding. He would put on herds-grass, red-top and clover freely.

After still further expressions of opinion by several gentlemen, the meeting adjourned until half past one o'clock.

In the afternoon Mr. Walker read his paper on "Drainage," and was followed by Judge French who said he had read a very flattering account of his own good works in the "History of Chester," and his friend Walker had given him the credit of being the New Hampshire father of drainage tiles, so he had done something towards achieving success; but if he had done anything worthy of mention, he should give the credit to his bringing-up, in the good town of Chester. He related his experience in drainage, especially on a farm in Concord, Mass., which he recently bought. His efforts resulted in draining a large, unsightly basin and surrounding land, so that immense crops are now grown on the spot. He explained the manner of laying out drains, the inclination to the foot or rod, the depth for laying tile, and the effect of frost. He then gave an account of the results of drained land in time of drought, and repeated many interesting statistics regarding drainage. He facetiously described the manner of digging post holes in the Chester soil, with pick and iron spoon, a process which Mr. Chamberlin said would bring on the rheumatism if anything would. Mr. F. thought Chester farmers could not afford to dig drains, the ground is so compact. The soil there would not pay for draining, with some exceptions. It was not generally necessary. Mr. Warren Brown followed. He is a believer in draining, and uses tile. He thought drainage was worth something as the means of aerating the soil.

Col. Clough gave an interesting account of draining two tracts of land on his farm, once worthless, now some of his best land. Mr. Learnard, of Chester, asked if the frost would affect the tile so as to throw them out of place.

Mr. Walker thought they should go below the frost.

Mr. French did not regard that as essential, as the ground could not heave enough to displace them if well laid.

A paper was read on " Plant Growth," by William H. Hills, Esq., of Plaistow, of much value, which commanded strict attention. Remarks were made by Simon Brown, Mr. Walker and others, when, at five o'clock, the meeting adjourned until evening. In the evening session, Hon. Hiram R. Roberts, of Rollinsford, read his paper on "Breeds of Neat Cattle." The other speakers for the evening were Mr. Brown of Hampton Falls, Judge French, Gov. Brown, Mr. Walker and Mr. Hills of Plaistow.

Dea. Melvin returned the thanks of the people of Chester to the board, which Judge French seconded, paying a high compliment to the board and their system of earnest work.

Mr. Lawrence, of Epping, member from Rockingham, returned the thanks of the board to the people of Chester and Derry, for their courtesy and energy, and to the several gentlemen who had so ably assisted them in making the meeting a success.

The meeting at Chester was one of the same earnest character as that at Derry, and the Chester people seemed to vie with those of Derry, in affording every facility to the board of agriculture and those who assisted them.

MEETING AT MEREDITH VILLAGE.

A meeting was arranged for the 24th of March at Meredith Village on invitation of the successful farmers' club of that place. But the Secretary not being able to be in attendance at the assigned time, met with the club on the preceding evening and addressed them for an hour on the "Social and mental needs of the rural population," and was followed by Mr. Kidder, of Manchester, who discussed at length and with ability what he denominated "Household Farming," including among other topics that of buttermaking and putting up products for sale.

Mr. Neal, the president of the club, occupied the chair, and an intelligent audience kept their seats, with no indication of restlessness, through the evening.

The next day and evening were occupied by addresses on "Sheep-breeding," by Dr. Mason, "Drainage," by Mr. Walker, "New England as a farming section," by Mr. Lawrence, and some general remarks by Col. Clough, Col. Towle, Mr. Vaughan, Col. Neal and other gentlemen. The sentiment of the people in that town is an enlightened one, and the remarks of those present showed that the winter discussions had not been in vain.

This was, strictly speaking, the last of the series of public gatherings, though on the pressing invitation of interested parties a semi-official