125 



fact. The value of manure used and cost of cultivation comes 

 far under the cost of Mr. Merrill's ; we must differ with Mr. 

 Manning ; should not want to contract to prepare Lmd, furnish 

 seed, and cultivate one half acre for the small sum of eight dol- 

 lars and seventy-five cents. In his statement which he presents 

 to us he has failed to charge any thing for harvesting his crop, 

 and when that amount is added most of the difference 

 between the two crops would be in the manure applied. Mr. 

 Merrill applied equal parts ashes, meadow muck, and horse 

 manure, three cords valued at $25.00. Mr, Manning applied 

 three cords barn yard manure and muck valued at $12'00 Mr. 

 Merrill's crop of 350 bushels at the value placed on them at 42 

 cents per bushel amounts to $147,000. Cost growing crop as 

 by statement $51.00, leaving a profit of $96.00. Mr. Manning's 

 crop of 300 bushels value placed at 45 cents per bushel amounts 

 to $135.00. Cost of growing crop by statement, 320.75 leaving 

 a profit of $114.25. Possibly Mr. Manning intended to offset 

 crop of hay against labor not allowed. 



The crops of Samuel A. Merrill of Danvers, consisting of 

 Onions, Cabbages, Ruta Bagas and Carrots, were visited by the 

 Committee on Sept, ist. Mr. Merrill as a vegetable grower, 

 and for his prominent activity, energetic and skillful manner in 

 which his two farms are conducted, deserves much praise. Mr. 

 M. is particularly fortunate in leasing the well-known "Burley 

 Farm" containing three hundred and fifty acres, for the purpose 

 of bringing into execution and perfecting his many original 

 ideas of market gardening ; although the farm is mostly under 

 the supervision of his sons, who gave us valuable information in 

 relation to the farm and crops. The land upon most parts of 

 the farm appeared in good condition and very productive. Se- 

 cluded as it is by trees and growing wood upon all sides protect- 

 ing the land and crops from the cold blast andblighting winds, so 

 often injurious to growing plants, and fruit trees, now and then 



