217 



Returns — 15 bushels of rye, , . . 15 00 



Straw, 4 00 



19 00 



Balance in favor of rye, $13 25 



This is the estimate of an intelligent and respectable farmer ; 

 but he must pardon my distrust in suggesting that fifteen bush- 

 els is an extraordinary yield for such cultivation. Farmers in 

 general are of opinion that, with the same cultivation and on 

 the same land, they can get as much wheat as rye. The supe- 

 rior value of wheat therefore gives it a decided preference. The 

 seed of wheat is more expensive ; the dangers of blight and 

 failure are more numerous. Rye is considered a more hardy 

 plant than wheat. Wheat would repay a much more careful 

 cultivation than it receives, and so undoubtedly would rye. 



5. Barley is sometimes raised, but is not to be considered in 

 any part of the county as an established crop. In Marlborough, 

 the yield is rated at from 25 to 30 bushels : in Groton at 35 

 bushels. These estimates are to be considered rather as individ- 

 ual than as general facts ; as, in a crop of this nature, very 

 much must depend on soil, manuring and cultivation. 



1. Its cost of cultivation in Marlborough is thus given : 



Ploughing, 2 00 ; seed, 2^ to 3 bushels, at 80 cts. 2 40, 4 40 

 Sowing and harrowing, . . . . . . 1 50 



Mowing and getting in, 2 50 ; threshing, 2 80, . 5 30 



Returns — 28 bushels of barley, at 80 cents, 22 40 

 Straw on an acre, . . . 5 00 



11 20 



27 40 



Balance in favor of barley, $16 20 



This crop was the third in the rotation ; first, corn ; second, 

 potatoes ; third, barley. The corn and potatoes were both 

 manured. 



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