280 NORFOLK SOCIETY. 



Grain Crops. 



There were but two entries for premium : one for wheat, 

 another for corn. We recommend, that the premium of six 

 dollars be awarded to Rev. Charles C. Sewall, of Medfield, for 

 wheat. And the first premium, of ten dollars, to Jared Allen, 

 of Dover, for corn. 



The crop of wheat was quite a large one, for Norfolk count}", 

 and of superior quality; when bolted, it was said to be nearly 

 equal in whiteness, to much of the western flour, and of sur- 

 passing sweetness. Much has been said against raising this 

 crop ; yet the committee cannot but hope to see each farmer 

 produce enough, at least, for his own consumption. 



No extra labor seems to have been laid out on the corn-crop. 

 According to the statement, allowing one bushel of shelled corn 

 for two bushels of ears, there were ninety-seven and a half 

 bushels to the acre ; this is comparatively a large yield. Your 

 committee believe that one hundred bushels, will soon be con- 

 sidered but a fair yield. A liberal supply of manure was given. 

 Mr. Allen is particular in many of his statements ; a cart-load 

 of manure, however, is very indefinite ; one may contain two 

 feet, another, five or six. Your committee suggest, that cords 

 be made the criterion. 



Tlie kind of manure is also, of great importance, and its 

 application. Barn-cellar manure may mean, that entirely from 

 cattle, or a collection of every kind, with swine upon it. A 

 statement, we think, ought to give the kind of manure, whether 

 unfermented or partially so, or fermented, and the heat having 

 passed off, in what state it was applied to the soil. 



The grain crop is the most important of all crops, its culture 

 affecting the welfare of man over the whole globe. When a 

 substitute failed, which had been relied on, as was recently the 

 case, this article was carried across the broad Atlantic to sustain 

 the famishing, at the same time, materially affecting prices 

 here. It becomes us, therefore, particularly in this northern 

 climate, to take advantage of every circumstance tending to 

 favor us ; to meet with skill, every adverse cause which tends 

 to make us distrust, in the least, our ability to compete with 



