INCREASE OF STOCK. 297 



tomato-plants the amount of $6,470. This does not particularly 

 appertain to farming, but we think it worthy of mention, and 

 should be encouraged by our agricultural societies. 



From fruit of various kinds, berries, etc., we received the 

 amount of $110,831, of which the apple crop was a small pro- 

 portion. The number of apple trees cultivated for fruit is 

 192,487 ; but, I regret to say, these are reported to be generally 

 in a failing condition. 



The annual income from poultry appears to have been 

 821,841. 



I find, by examination, that the crops enumerated in the pre- 

 ceding statement amount to $1,413,795, of which grass alone 

 is estimated to be worth $607,327, showing conclusively that 

 this crop forms the principal source of our dependence. 



Now, gentlemen, allow me to propose a question. If we 

 should conclude to increase our stock, endeavoring to make the 

 best selections, and consume more nearly all the hay, grain and 

 vegetables raised on our premises, or only disposing of some of 

 these in exchange for some other more profitable supplies for 

 feeding, with a view to increased productions in beef, pork, mut- 

 ton, poultry, and especially of milk, butter and cheese, would 

 notour income from these sources equal or exceed those, 

 amounts now received from the sales of so large a proportion 

 of those crops ? Attended, as this practice must be, by a very 

 large increase of manure, affording to our soil greater facilities 

 of fertility and higher cultivation, may we not well mark the 

 prominent inference that our farms, within a period of seven 

 years, might produce nearly double the present amount of hay, 

 grain and grass, allowing our stock to be increased in the ratio 

 of these productions. 



This seems to me an important question for us to decide ; 

 and I hope we may consider it in all its bearings and with 

 regard to our highest welfare. 



Somewhat bearing upon this subject, I feel inclined to subjoin 

 to this report the statement of a gentleman residing in Sudbury, 

 Mr. John H. Dakin, with which he has kindly favored me, in 

 regard to his particular management of milch cows, and which 

 I think goes far to show what might be realized from the 

 five thousand eight hundred and eighty-jive cows included in 

 this district, by proper feeding and management. 



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