38 REPORT ON GRAIN CROPS. 



less than one cord of compost manure, composed of three parts sea 

 weed and one part stable manure, spread between the rows. 



Yours respectfully, 



WM. G. LAKE. 



Topsfield, Sept 27, 1848. 



ON GRAIN CROPS. 



The Committee on Grain Crops have attended to that duty, and 

 Report : 



That only one entry has been made for raising Grain, and that by 

 Mr. John Hathaway, of Danvers, for a crop of winter rye, of an 

 extraordinary yield. Mr. Hathaway's statement is very full as to 

 his manner of manuring, preparing and cultivating his lands for the 

 previous crops, and also for the present crop of winter rye. It will 

 be seen that he has raised on one and a quarter of an acre of land 

 55 bushels, equal to 44 bushels to the acre. This is the largest crop 

 of rye, to the acre,. that has come within the knowledge of the Com- 

 mittee. 



As Mr. Hathaway has spared no pains in preparing his land for a 

 good crop, the Committee are happy to find that he has been am- 

 ply paid for his labor by reaping an abundant harvest, and recom- 

 mend the premium of eight dollars be paid to him for his crop of 

 winter rye. 



His crop of summer rye is also a very large yield, 45 bushels on 

 one and a half acres of land, which would entitle him to a premium. 

 As, however, but one premium is offered by the Society, they can- 

 not recommend any for this crop. 



The Committee would recommend that farmers give more atten- 

 tion to the raising of this grain ; it not only gives a large yield of 

 grain, but the straw is valuable, generally about 100 lbs. to one 

 bushel of rye, and will always command a high price and ready mar- 

 ket. Another advantage is, that being sown in the autumn, after 

 other crops are taken from the land, grass seed may be sown at the 

 same time, and it is the opinion of the Committee that it is the best 

 grain with which to lay down land to grass. 



The Committee regret that no other crops of grain have been en- 



