598 STATE BOARD OF AGEICULTURE. 



thorough cultivation. There are two good farm houses, with the necessary 

 outfit of barns, stables, sheds, etc., for each. Although lying compact in a 

 body, it is really two farms, and can be readily carried on as such. One of the 

 barns is admirably arranged for tiio comfort and economy of management of 

 the large number of horses, milcli cows, fat stock and other animals that can 

 be housed tlierein. 



Mr. Cobb has been eminently successful as a farmer, while he has devoted 

 much time to the prosecution of other branches of business. A brief synopsis 

 of the results of the past year, compiled from a statement on file in this office 

 is herewith submitted : 



To 3Iessrs. Bair, Curtis and Little, Committee on Farms: 



Gentlemen— Having entered my farm to compete for premium, I submit the fol- 

 lowing statement: 



My first purchase, twenty-four yeai's ago, was 165 acres, 35 acres of which was 

 cleared. During the first fifteen years we cleared, mostly with the grub-hoe, about 

 100 acres. Ten' years ago I purchased 100 acres more — the part I now live upon— 

 making 265 acres in the whole farm. "VVe have 240 acres under cultivation and 25 

 acres in timber. There are two sets of farm buildings complete, and two orchards. 



My routine of crops has been generally as follows : Corn planted upon sod-ground, 

 followed with oats; then manured, sown to winter wheat and seeded down with 

 timothy and clover — timothy sown in tlie fall and clover in the spring, about one 

 bushel of seed of each upon ten acres. In summer-fallowing for wheat we usually 

 follow with wheat the second year, and seed down to grass the same as in the former 

 case. We have from 60 to 90 acres in wheat each j'ear. This year we had 60 acres of 

 wheat, the average yield of which was about 28 bushels per acre, although some fields 

 averaged 33 bushels per acre. Our other crops this year are 35 acres of corn, better 

 than the average this year; 15 acres of oats, a heavy crop; 1% acres of potatoes, 

 Early Rose injured by drought. Late Rose and Siiowflakes good size and will be a 

 fair crop; 40 acres of meadow, yielding about l^^ tons of good hay per acre; 20 

 acres of clover seed in stack, unthreshed. 



In live stock we have six work horses, two driving horses, six colts, one brood 

 mare with foal by side, one bull, eight cows, two two-year-old heifers, six yearlings 

 and five calves. We usually winter from 20 to 25 hogs, selling them in the fall after 

 stubble is cleaned up. Of sheep, we average to keep 300; 175 will be sold for nnittou 

 during the winter, the others are breeding ewes and lambs. 



Respectfully submitted. 



WM. H. COBB. 



The committee hardly approve of Mr. Cobb's routine and methods in 

 farming. "We found everything pertaining to the farm, buildings, fences, 

 stock, tillage of the fields, etc., in admirable condition and order. We can but 

 commend his course and the success that has crowned his efforts to the careful 

 consideration of the farmers of the county. 



The sixth annual convention of the association of agricultural societies of 

 Michigan meets at Lansing the 15th of January inst. The late acting presi- 

 dent and secretary of this society should be autliorized to represent it as dele- 

 gates. 



In retiring from the office of secretary, a position that I have held for a 

 number of years, I can only say that I have earnestly endeavored to promote 

 the interests of this society, as a means of enhancing the general welfare of the 

 people of this locality; and to enlarge its sphere of usefulness both at home 

 and abroad. 



I desire to bear unqualified testimony to the faithfulness with which your 

 worthy president, Mr. Cobb, and the other officers of the society have dis- 

 charged the duties of their respective stations. A remarkable spirit of har- 

 mony and unity of purpose, has pervaded ull departments ; and the sacrifices 

 that these gentlemen liave made to serve the public in tiie various jiositions 



