WORCESTER vSOCIETY. 173 



ley of the Blackstone River, and view some irrigated meadows, 

 laid out in a scientific manner, particularly in the towns of 

 Blackstone, Cumberland and Smithfield, and then employ some 

 experienced person to lay out his ditches for him, with a proper 

 instrument. 



The proposals of the society for premiums, are " for the best 

 managed farm, entire regard to be had to the extent and value 

 of improvements, and economy in the management," which 

 are too general in their terms to be distinctly understood by 

 your committee. Within what time are these improvements 

 to be made ? May they run through a score of years, or must 

 they be of the last year, or of recent date? Of this, the com- 

 mittee are uncertain ; they are inclined to believe that the so- 

 ciety intended to have reference to modern improvements, and 

 they think that there should be more definiteness in their fu- 

 ture offers. The most important improvements made by 'Mr. 

 Howe, as detailed in his communication, are of several years 

 date, but his statement contains facts and suggestions useful to 

 the farmer, and the committee would particularly call the atten- 

 tion of the agricultural community, to the statement made by 

 him, of the effect of a crop of buckwheat, upon the after-crops 

 grown on the same land in succeeding years. The committee 

 have had knowledge of the same effect, in repeated instances, 

 in different places, and on different soils. They have become 

 fully satisfied that a crop of buckwheat doeg more injury to the 

 after-crops grown on the same lands, than the whole value of 

 the buckwheat crop, and they would advise those who are de- 

 sirous of growing that grain, to follow the recent practice of 

 Mr. Howe, and grow year after year, on the same ground, that 

 the deleterious effects may be confined to one and the same 

 lot. 



From all the circumstances in the case, the committee are of 

 the opinion, that from the very useful information communi- 

 cated by Mr. Howe, and the important improvements made by 

 him in former years, his claim is entitled to the favorable notice 

 of the society ; but from the fact that many of the farmers of the 

 county are making a greater outlay for the immediate improve- 

 ment of their lands, the committee have not thought that he is 



