A DISCOURSE, READ BEFORE THE Essex Agricultural Society, In Massachusetts, February 21, 1820, _Suggesting some Improvements in the Agriculture of the County._ BY TIMOTHY PICKERING, President of the Society. At a Meeting of the Essex Agricultural Society, at Topsfield, February 21, 1820, Voted, That the thanks of the Society be presented to the Hon. TIMOTHY PICKERING for his interesting Address, and that he be requested to furnish a copy thereof for publication.--Attest, FREDERICK HOWES, _Secretary_. DISCOURSE. _Gentlemen_--The secretary has put into my hands a vote of the Society, requesting me to "make to it such communications as may in my opinion most conduce to the interest of Agriculture." This was an unlooked for request. I have myself much to learn from observing farmers, of longer experience, and whose attentions have been exclusively devoted to husbandry. Mine, since I became a farmer, have been diverted by other pursuits; so that at intervals only my thoughts have been turned to this subject. No one doubts the importance of our profession; and the actual formation of our society is a declaration that improvements in it are necessary.--But the field of agriculture is of boundless extent; and though traversed for some thousands of years by the greater portion of the human race, yet by no one, nor by all combined, has a complete survey been accomplished. Every year, and every day, presents something new: and even of old things, the practices of ages, there still exist diversities of opinions. For instance, which is preferable, deep or shallow ploughing?--Should manures be spread on the surface, or be buried by the plough? If the latter, at what depth, to produce the greatest effect, with the most lasting fertility?--Should manure be applied in its rough, coarse, and unfermented state, or, by keeping and repeated turnings, be more or less rotted?--These are points which appear to me deeply to affect the interests of agriculture. On these therefore I will give you my opinion, enlightened by the observations of intelligent husbandmen. I will then advert to a few other topics which demand your attention; _dwelling_ on one of them--Root crops for the Food of Live Stock--as lying at the foundation of an improved agriculture. I. _On Deep Ploughing and Manuring._