698 



most favorable manner some fine specimens of bread, biscuit, beef and 

 sausage, exhibited by Mr. P. Fishburn, who showed conckisively to the 

 committee his ability and capability of administering in the most pal- 

 atable manner to the wants of the inner man. 



CHARLES NOBLE, 

 R. LAWRENCE, 

 MRS. M. PAULDING, 

 MRS. JAS. MULHOLLAND, 

 MRS. M. TRACY, 



Committee. 



FIELD CROPS. 



The committee appointed to examine field crops, respectfully report 

 that in the discharge of that duty they have visited various parts of the 

 county, and notwithstanding the season has been very unpropitious to 

 the farmer, they are assured by ocular demonstration that he who vouch- 

 safed to man a seed time and harvest, has not been delinquent. 



From the peculiarity of the season (the excessive and continued rains) 

 they have observed more particularly than in times past, the advantages 

 as well as the necessity of thorough drainage. In a county situated as 

 is the county of Monroe, with a level surface, rich in the elements of 

 vegetable deposit, yet having a tenacious subsoil, it is all important to 

 successful cultivation, that ample drains should be provided for the dis- 

 charge of surface water; and your committee would advise that instead 

 of extending the area of cultivation, the farmers devote their energies, 

 by thorough drainage and the extirpation of noxious and useless weeds, 

 to the increased productiveness of the land already under a partial statfS 

 of improvement. 



Among the crops examined by your committee, aid which they rec- 

 ommend for premium, is a crop of wheat raised by Peter Loose, of La 

 Salle, as set forth by his affidavit in the following report : 



Peter Loose being duly sworn, deposeth that the crop of wheat on 

 which he asks a premium, was cultivated as here set forth, to wit : The 

 ground being a sandy loam on a clay subsoil, and in sward, was broken 

 up to the depth of eight inches, before harvest, after which it was har- 

 rowed three times, and cross-plowed the first of September, and sowed 



