213 



in Middlesex to its cultivation. The soil most favorable to wheat 

 is one strongly aluminous. This kind of soil does not prevail 

 in Middlesex county, and but to a comparatively small extent 

 in Massachusetts ; yet there are few places where the natural 

 deficiencies may not be supplied, or the natural difficulties 

 overcome by cultivation ; and wheat, at twenty bushels to the 

 acre, may be considered as one of the most profitable crops in 

 the ordinary rotation. What seems mainly wanting to success 

 is cleanness and carefulness of cultivation, liberal manuring for 

 the previous crop, and a plentiful supply of ashes to meet the 

 deficiency of potash in the soil. Some experiments have been 

 made in the application of saltpetre, sown broadcast over the 

 growing crop. The efli"ect apparently has been to increase the 

 luxuriance of the growth of the plant without increasing the 

 product of the grain ; but few trials have been made, and those 

 not conducted with much exactness, so that in the present im- 

 perfect state of the inquiry no great confidence can be placed 

 in the conclusions supposed to be reached. 



3. Oats are frequently made the second crop in the rotation. 

 They are not grown to much extent, compared with the popu- 

 lation and demand, though nearly one hundred and three thou- 

 sand bushels are given as the annual amount to the Valuation 

 Committee. The crop is rated upon an average at forty bush- 

 els to the acre. The price is generally about three eighths the 

 price of Indian corn. This is almost always above their in- 

 trinsic value, but the convenience in using and transporting 

 them, and the constant demand for them in livery stables, se- 

 cure a large price. 



They are generally taken as a second crop, after corn or po- 

 tatoes, the manure being applied to the previous crop. 



1. The subjoined is one estimate of the cost and returns of 

 cultivation. 



Ploughing, 2 00 ; seed, three bushels, 1 50, . . 3 50 

 Cradling and harvesting, . . . . , 2 00 



Threshiiig, ........ 3 00 



8 50 



