SOMERSET CENTRAL SOCIETY. 39 



enable them to compete successfully with the dairies of other 

 states. 



No premiums were awarded on field crops. Good specimens of 

 some kinds were on exhibition ; but for want of suflScient informa- 

 tion in regard to manner of culture and cost of production &c., 

 premiums were withheld. The amount required by law was 

 offered upon various field crops. The hay crop this season is 

 lighter than last year. The drought in the early part of the season, 

 which extended up to nearly the usual time of beginning haying, 

 prevented the grass from attaining its usual growth and, in fact, 

 the hay crop had the appearance of coming in extremely light, but 

 the drought broke at this time, and a long season of dull or cloudy 

 and wet weather ensued, which prevented farmers from harvesting 

 the then meagre crop of hay, and gave the grass an opportunity to 

 attain to a far more respectable growth. Hence the hay harvested 

 thus late in the season, was not much less in bulk than an average 

 with other seasons. But the quality, from being grown in wet 

 weather, and a considerable portion of it harvested in what the 

 farmers term catching weather, is very much inferior to that of 

 last year. We now frequently hear the remark that hay does not 

 spend well, which is accounted for as above. Grain crops are 

 better than hay. The growth of straw is nearly equal to other 

 years, but the grain is not as well filled, rendering it less valuable 

 and yielding less in proportion to the amount sown than last year. 

 But a larger breadth having been given to most kinds of grain, the 

 total value of the grain crop, is perhaps not less than last year. 



Owing to the cold weather in spring, and the indications of a 

 cold season, less corn was planted than usual. But the persever- 

 ing husbandman, who did not withhold his hand, by reason of the 

 cold, rejoiced as he gathered his fully ripened ears into his garners. 



The yield was not large,' but the corn was of superior quality. 



There was a large amount of potatoes planted, but they did not 

 do as well as last year, being injured in the growth by early 

 drought and late wet weather. The amount harvested is much 

 less in proportion to the amount planted than last year. The rot 

 also has prevailed to considerable extent. Hence, notwithstand- 

 ing the larger amount planted, the crop is no larger than last year. 



Very respectfully submitted, 



C. K. Turner, Secretary. 



