SECRETARY'S REPORT. 31 



Rye. 



The amount of rye raised in the State, in 1840, was 453,705 

 bushels. In 1850, it was 441,208 bushels. This crop has been 

 cultivated in Massachusetts from an early date. It was intro- 

 duced in 1632-3, and at that time, cultivated on a very small 

 scale. Wheat was then raised only in gardens, and even there 

 it was very rare ; though in the course of ten years, it was 

 found to succee(^so well as to lead to the proposition to export 

 it largely to England. 



The rye crop has greatly risen in favor, in some localities, 

 within the last few years. It is even thought by some, to be 

 the most profitable on the farm. This is undoubtedly, in part, 

 owing to the high price of straw, during the past two or three 

 years, making the profit from that alone, equal, or nearly equal, 

 to the price of the rye itself. 



The opinions and the experience of individuals differ so 

 widely, that it would not be possible to give any statement of 

 the comparative profits of this, and other grains, which would 

 be of universal application and value. 



The average yield per acre, throughout the State, as returned 

 to me the past season, is but 14|- bushels, though more of it 

 seems to have been raised than in 1850. 



Barley. 



The average yield of barley in the State, is about 21 bushels 

 per acre ; but it is not so much cultivated as rye. The number 

 of bushels returned to the Valuation Committee, in 1840, was 

 149,004 bushels; in 1850, it was 117,441 bushels, showing a 

 falling off in ten years, of about 31,563 bushels. 



Oats. 



A smaller quantity of oats also is raised in this State, than 

 formerly. In 1840, it was about 1,226,300 bushels, while in 

 1850, it was 1,210,238 bushels; showing a decrease of 16,062 

 bushels in ten years. * 



The yield of the last season averaged about thirty bushels to 

 the acre. 



