76 OS GRAIN CROPS. 



Therefore the committee do not consider this entry as coming with- 

 in the rule for a premium. 



The other entry was by Moses Pettingill, of Topsfield. It appears 

 by the certificate accompanying the entry, that he raised eighty-eight 

 bushels on an acre. 



There does not appear to be anything out of the ordinary mode of 

 cultivation, save the keeping the surface of the ground flat, and sow 

 ing grass seed at the last hoeing. 



The corn crop was not probably affected in any way by sowing the 

 grass seed. 



Whether this mode of seeding down ground to grass, is preferable 

 to any other, the committee are not prepared to say. 



Leaving the surface flat is probably preferable to drawing up the 

 earth high around the corn. 



The roots of the corn running off" from the stalk will be better se- 

 cured from drought, and will find more nourishment from the manure 

 in the soil if left flat, than if that manure and mould is piled up acound 

 the stalk, and also the roots to cover themselves are forced deep be- 

 tween the hills into the subsoil where no manure has been applied, and 

 repeated experiments have shown that the corn stands equally well 

 without hilling. The stalk when considerably grown throws out from 

 four to six or eight roots near the surface of the ground, whether the 

 corn is hilled high or not. These brace roots get far firmer hold on 

 the flat surface, than on the hill, for that is loose and constantly wash- 

 ing down. 



The committee consider the corn crop of Mr. Pettingill an extrar 

 ordinary one, considering the quantity of manure applied to the land, 

 being as per statement, only five cords. The year previous the same 

 quantity of manure was used for a like crop, and he judged seventy- 

 five bushels was obtained. It is not stated what condition the land 

 was in when broken up. 



The committee would recommend that the first premium of eight 

 dollars be awarded to Moses Pettingill of Topsfield, for his crop of 

 corn, and that the statement of his mode of cultivation be published. 



MOSES NEWELL, Chairman. 



Lynn, September, 29th, 1847. 



I 



