No. 85.] 99 



who, in the words of their instructions, came the nearest to their 

 standard of excellence — " reference being had to the general system 

 of management^ and the profit obtained^ rather than to natural ad- 

 vantages or expensive improvements.^^ 



Elisha Harmon, of Wheatland, to whom was awarded the first 

 premium, cultivated a farm of 400 acres, 306 of which are improv- 

 ed ; has been settled 40 years ; the soil a sandy loam, inclining to 

 gravel, abundantly filled with a limestone shale ; on a part of which 

 are beds of plaster, which are opened, and manufactured for use and 

 sale, averaging 1,000 tons per year. This tract was originally an 

 oak opening, with gentle undulations, and is, altogether, a splendid 

 wheat farm. The dwelling-house, barns and out-hOuses are of a su- 

 perior construction and finish. He has this year over 92 acres of 

 wheat yielding over 2,000 bushels — has raised an average of 50 bush- 

 els of clover-seed for the last 18 years — usually alternates his 

 crops, by wheat one year and clover two years, but has one field that 

 has produced wheat every other year for 15 years past, without any 

 deterioration of the land. Plowing commences, for the summer fal- 

 lowing, on the first week in June and second week in September, 

 using his sheep and the wheat cultivator intermediately between the 

 plowings — sows from the r2th to the 20th of September, 5 pecks to 

 the acre, of pure White Flint. His stock consists of 400 sheep and 

 106 lambs, Saxon and Merino. His clip of wool this year was 1,600 

 lbs., which sold in market for 40 cents ; 7 cows, 12 horses and colts, 

 and 30 hogs, a part of them fine Leicesters : and what particularly 

 commended itself to this committee was, over four miles of stone 

 fence. His summer crops were 8 or 10 acres of corn and oats each, 

 root crops, potatoes, &c. Taken altogether, in system, management 

 and productiveness, this farm took the precedence of all those who 

 entered for competition. First premium : $10 and vol. Transac- 

 tions. 



William Garbutt, of Wheatland, to whom the committee award 

 the credit of being the only farmer accountant that they visited, who 

 kept his accounts of profit and loss on every crop on his farm, and 

 the produce and cost per acre, and the general result for some 20 

 years past. For a description of his farm, and his system of farm- 

 ing, they propose to let him tell his own story. 



To the Viewing Committee of the Monroe Agricultural Society. 



Gentlemen — I was sorry that you did not take more time, when 

 you were making your agricultural tour, so as to ascertain what each 

 farmer was doing, and why he did it ; for each one ought to know the 

 reason for performing each and every operation in which he is en- 

 gaged. 



I consider the having a viewing committee one of the best plans 

 that can be adopted for the improvement of agriculture ; and if it 

 could be effected without awarding premiums, I think it would be 

 preferable : for it is much to be regretted, that the great anxiety which 

 prevails, either for the profit or honor of the premium, causes very 

 great dissatisfaction among the non-successful competitors. 



