SECRETARY'S REPORT. 61 



amount had increased to 1,291 tons. From much observation 

 and inquiry, in the course of the last year, I am inclined to 

 think that a much greater quantity is now produced. Probably 

 it would average one-fourth more, making the present product 

 of this crop over 1,600 tons. 



The preparation of the ground for broomcorn is very much 

 the same as for Indian corn. A carefully written statement 

 furnished by a committee of a Farmers' Club, says : — " Upon 

 the one hundred and eighty acres of broomcorn are grown 

 fifty bushels of broomcorn seed, to the acre, which will weigh 

 from thirty-five to forty pounds to the bushel, and worth one 

 cent a pound. Upon this seed, mixed with corn, swine are 

 fattened." 



This estimate is based on the crop of the past season. The 

 average yield, per acre, is from 500 to 550 pounds. In some 

 towns it is greater, varying according to the difference of soil 

 and culture. 



Tobacco. 



Nor would any notice of the products of this State be com- 

 plete without an allusion to tobacco. The cultivation of this 

 plant was recently revived in the Valley of the Connecticut. 

 It has now become an important product in that vicinity. In 

 one town alone, more than seventy-five acres were appropriated 

 to it the past season. I have visited many very large fields 

 during the last summer, to examine and compare the different 

 modes of culture. 



The following statement of the method of cultivation, kindly 

 furnished me by one whose long experience and eminent suc- 

 cess makes him perfectly competent to state the whole process, 

 will give a better idea of it than any general remarks of mine. 

 He says : — 



" My mode is first to select a moist — not wet — piece of rich 

 ground, and as early as spring will permit, prepare it as a bed 

 in the garden. Sow the seed broadcast, at the rate of one 

 tablespoonful to the rod. Then tread, or roll it hard, without 

 any other covering. It is well to mix the seed with plaster or 

 corn meal, that you can see that it is sown even. 



" The plants should be kept free from weeds till large enough 



