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crop. The bed of manure, though buried as deeply as described, 

 since the earth above was light and porous, undoubtedly, in the 

 evolution of its gases, contributed its full share to the growth of 

 the crop. The top-dressing certainly was not without its great 

 advantages, not only in supplying the necessary nutriment to 

 the plants, but likewise, as is suggested, in protecting the soil 

 from the severe drought. 



It'^vill be questioned by some whether so expensive a culti- 

 vation can be afforded. The price of manure is not given. If 

 it were not overvalued, the first crop, even at five dollars per 

 ton, or more than 180 dollars to the acre, would undoubtedly 

 pay the expenses of culture and leave a large profit ; but in the 

 next place it is to be remembered that the land is now in con- 

 dition for at least six or eight years' profitable cropping without 

 any additional manuring. ^ 



10. Hops. — One of the great crops of the county is hops, 

 although within a few years the cultivation has been somewhat 

 reduced. This may be considered as the only crop raised for 

 exportation, and at one time it is said that more hops were 

 grown in Middlesex than in any other part of New England or/ 

 in the whole United States. 



I have already, in the report on Franklin county, spoken of 

 the culture of hops to some extent. I have little to add to that 

 account excepting what is furnished me by a Middlesex farmer 

 experienced in the cultivation and well acquainted with the 

 whole subject of culture and curing. 



The hop plant, in the county of Middlesex, succeeds best 

 on a deep yellow loam and on soils well adapted to Indian corn ; 

 but the burr seldom has a bright straw color, it is pale and in- 

 sipid on a deep black soil. Light sandy loams, or pine plains, 

 produce a small amount to the acre, but the hops are frequently of 

 a good straw color and well suited for pale ale ; but not so strong 

 in resinous properties as those grown on a deep yellow loam. 



To form new plantations, the ground is to be prepared as for 

 Indian corn ; sets or cuttings of roots are used for planting. — 

 The hills should be eight feet apart, giving sixty-four square 

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