244 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



WORCESTER NORTH, 



From the Report of the Committee. 



In the rules of the trustees offering the premiums on the 

 several kinds of grain, including white beans and cabbages, it 

 reads, " For the most profitable crop ; " and with grain it must 

 weigh a certain amount to the rod or bushel, to entitle the 

 owner to a premium. For the best acre of corn, any variety, 

 the product to be not less than 30 lbs. to the square rod at har- 

 vesting. 



Though your committee were at no trouble in finding the 

 cornfields, yet not so with the statements in regard to the culti- 

 vation and expense of the crop ; and it is hoped that next year, 

 the trustees will adopt a diiferent course from the one pursued 

 this year.* 



Isaac B. Woodward, Chairman. 



Statement of John Brooks, Jr. 



The field of corn entered by me for a premium, was meas- 

 ured, and contains one acre and twenty-four rods. It inclines 

 to the west ; and it is fifteen years since it was ploughed. Soil, 

 clayey loam. About the middle of May, fifteen loads of manure, 

 (one-third swamp muck,) were spread and ploughed in with 

 a double, side-hill plough. 



About the first of June, 250 lbs. of guano were sown and har- 

 rowed in. Furrowed one way ; 50 lbs. guano mixed with 25 



bushels muck, put in the hill, one large handful, each. The 



• 



* The subject here alluded to is one that has always been a " stumbling 

 block " in the way of gaining information concerning premium crops. It is 

 frequently with difficulty that statements can be procured at all, and often 

 their contents are valueless to the society when obtained. 



In order to remedy this difficulty, the society, at its annual meeting, Decem- 

 ber 3d, 1856, adopted a form, containing questions to be answered by competi- 

 tors, and, unless these are all properly answered and returned to the secretary, 

 within a specified time, the crop will be considered as having been withdrawn, 

 and cannot be entitled to a premium. This mode, it is hoped, Avill insure 

 promptness, and entire uniformity in all future statements. — Secretary of the 

 Society. 



