16 



Best three acres Cultivated Gra^s, E. D. Shears, Sheffield, 



2d do., Warren Crissey, Great Barrington, 5 



3d do., J. B. Walker, New Marlboro. 4 



4th do., E. P. Tanner, Lee, 3 



ath do., M. I. Wheeler, Great Barringtonj 2 



6th do., A. J. Freeman. New Marlboro, 1 



Best five acres Cultivated Grass, George F. Woodin. Sandisneld, 6 



2d do., Luther B. Brusie, Great Barrington, - r > 

 Committee. — H. W. Smith. 



LATE SUMMEB CROPS. 



Whole number of enti'ies. 150. Five acres Oats 17; three acres Oats 25; 

 one acre Oats 40; one acre Barley 8; two acres Sowed Com 13; half acre Sowed 

 Corn 24; Best Farm of 40 acres 7; Best Farm 100 acres 16. 



In submitting our report we wish to make some suggestions, as 

 they occur to us in making our examinations. Improvements are the 

 order of the day. With all the improved tools for the cultivation oJ 

 the soil, how much easier our farm work is done now than twenty 

 five years ago : but you will occasionally meet with one that does noi 

 believe in blooded stock or improved took. 



The Oat crop we found much better than we expected, the dr< 

 weather, early in the season, cutting the straw somewhat short in th< 

 lower part of the county, but not in the north. The great query witl 

 us has been why the crop was so thin in most cases, as three busheL 

 of seed were usually sown on an acre. We could not decide whethe: 

 it was caused by frost; soon after sowing, or by worms, or by no 

 using good seed. W T e advise people to use more care in selecting 

 seed. We found too much charlock, thistles and rattlebox. W< 

 think the farmers have commenced on the right track in raising oats 

 That is in top-dressing. The crop will be more satisfactory, an< 

 your grass seed more sure to grow, and that is important, as hay i 

 the most important crop. 



Barley we found light, most pieces being well mixed with oats- 

 It is a question with us whether it is a profitable crop for our farm 

 ers to raise. 



We found a great growth of sowed corn, a crop the farmer car 

 not dispense with, as the chief productions of the farm are from th 

 dairy now. We think the best results can be obtained by plantin. 

 about ten inches apart in the row — instead of sowing — and havin 

 the rows three feet apart, then your fodder has substance, and mor 

 nutrition, as most all get it too thick when sowed, so it does nc 

 mature, and is not so valuable. 



The all important subject is the best managed farm, and perhap 

 we have erred in our decision, if so, we beg pardon. In travelin 

 through the county, it is very gratifying to note the change mad 

 in managing farms, also to see the different ways of farming. Som 

 giving their whole attention to the growing of forage, thinking the 

 can buy their grain cheaper than they can raise it, while others thin 

 the reverse. 



We have been shown crops of corn where no hard work was don 

 Now how much per bushel has that crop cost 1 That is a questic 



