850 [Assembly 



leave the ground in an appropriate tilth for succeeding culture. 

 Early tillage is esteemed very important to the success of this 

 crop. The average product is about twenty bushels per acre. 



Barley. — I found few fields of Barley, except in the town of 

 North Elba, where it is extensively cultivated, and yields valua- 

 ble returns. This crop averages, in that to wn^ thirty bushels, but 

 often reaches sixty bushels to the acre. It supplies for many pur- 

 poses the use of corn. Tiie neglect of this culture is, I think, to 

 be regretted. In a region where animal feed is so much in re- 

 quest, Barley might be advantageously cultivated as a pruvender 

 for teams and swine. 



Beans are seldom planted in Essex county as a distinct crop. 

 None, I think, would be more valuable and remunerative. This 

 crop is usually cultivated in connection with corn. The straw of 

 the Bean is greatly valued by many faimers as a fodder for sheep. 

 The recent introduction of the planter, which obviates the strong 

 objection to the culture of this crop, the tediius and expensive 

 planting by the hoe, is exerting a favorable influence in promoting 

 its cultivation. The importance of the Bean as a prominent crop, 

 is becoming appreciated by the intelligent farmers of the county.* 

 A Mexican bean, appropriately named ^'Buena Vista," has been 

 recently introduced through the agency of Gen. Churchill, of the 

 army. It is small in size, and of a deep yellow color, is emi- 

 nently prolific, oleaginous and nutritious, and supposed to be 

 exempt from the laxative properties of other beans. 



Buckwheat and Indian Wheat ^ especially the former, are very 

 largely cultivated, although the majority of farmers, I think, de- 

 precate the husbandry as injudicious and improvident. These 

 grains are used extensively as hog feed, boiled with apples, pump- 

 kins and potatoes. An important advantage is attained by the 

 cultivation of tli^se crops, from their early maturity, which affords 

 a nutritious food for swine, at a season, when on most farms there 

 is a general deficiency. Sown in May, the Indian Wheat may be 

 harvested in August. An esteemed correspondent at Adirondacf 



* Letter of J. G. Livingston. \ A. Ralph. 



