No. 8. 



Report on Crops. 



259 



For the Farmers' Cabinet. 



Keport on Crops. 



The Committee on Crops for 1843, ap- 

 pointed by the Philadelphia Society for pro- 

 moting Agriculture, make the following 

 report : 



In t!ie perf()rmance of their duty, they have 

 examined all crops whenever notice was 

 given, and they take much pleasure in in- 

 forming tJie Society, that the appearance of 

 the farms they have visited, denotes that the 

 science of Agriculture is keeping pace with 

 the improvements of the age; and embraced 

 within the circuit of the Society, we find 

 farms, whose fair fields and luxuriant crops 

 give such evidence of persevering industry 

 and laudable ambition to improve, that we 

 should do injustice to the agricultural inter 

 est not to notice them at this time. 



Your Committee would notice in the first 

 place the farm of James Gowen, at Mount 

 Airy. This place and its productions have 

 often received honorable and well deserved 

 notice. Agriculture (particularly in this 

 vicinity) owes much to this gentleman. We 

 saw here the once barren hills, which by his 

 exertions are now clothed in verdure, the 

 valley and the morass rendered fertile, and 

 made to yield their proper share of produce. 

 Indeed, every thing on this farm, speaks of 

 science and proper management. Your 

 committee had the pleasure of viewing in 

 the progress of its growth at this place, one 

 of the most beautiful fields of Indian corn 

 that was probably ever grown in this vicin- 

 ity; certainly the best raised under the same 

 circumstances. The ground was very hilly, 

 and by almost any other person, would have 

 been considered useless ; but by this gentle 

 man's perseverance, it was made to yield a 

 crop, the admiration of all who saw it. Un- 

 fortunately, however, a severe storm pros- 

 trated the most of it, which in consequence 

 did not ripen to perfection. The crop of 

 wheat also claims especial notice; this, as 

 indeed all the crops, exhibited great per- 

 fection in the system of farming. Your 

 Committee also visited the farm of Isaac W. 

 Roberts of Lower Merion township; here 

 also were plainly to be seen evidences of the 

 successful agriculturalist — the ground was 

 all in the highest state of cultivation. Use- 

 less vegetation had no chance for growth. 

 Each field was occupied by only what the 

 master intended should grow ; neatness and 

 order were observed in every thing. A very 

 fine field of wheat, and also one of corn, were 

 examined on this farm, that would have 

 given satisfltction to the most fastidious ob- 

 server. Your Committee also examined a 

 very fine field of wheat and mercer potatoes 



raised by Lewis Willard on the Hospital 

 farm ; the cultivation here also is deserving 

 of honourable notice, exhibiting a correct 

 knowledge of what is required to be a suc- 

 cessful farmer. Your Committee would also 

 notice a very fine crop of Indian corn, raised 

 by William Blackburn, on his farm near 

 Frankford. This place gives evidence that 

 the merchant can also be a good farmer, and 

 that agriculture requires the action of the 

 mind as well of as the body. Your Committee 

 would also notice a fine crop of ruta baga 

 turnips, raised by Samuel S. Richie, but not 

 of sufficient quantity to entitle them to the 

 premium. They would also notice very 

 fine crops of wheat, corn, oats and potatoes 

 on the Olney farm, of Samuel C. Ford. Also 

 very fine sugar parsnips raised by Henry 

 Chorley, on the Scott farm ; a very five crop 

 of ruta baga turnips, on the farm of John 

 Hunter, at Blockley. Also wheat, oats and 

 ruta baga turnips on the Clapier farm, by 

 James Robinson ; he deserves great credit for 

 the manner in which these crops were cul- 

 tivated, exhibiting a very correct knowledge 

 of his business. Your Committee attended 

 to the measuring of his crops of ruta bagas, 

 a very good yield for the season, which was 

 not favourable to their production, but not of 

 a character to entitle them in the opinion of 

 your Committee to a premium. Your Com- 

 mittee would also notice a very fine crop of 

 rye on the farm of Ephraim Holbert, but 

 being in separate fields is not entitled to a 

 premium. 



Your Committee regret, that from some 

 misunderstanding, although they were al- 

 ways ready to attend, and gave public notice 

 to that effect, they were not called upon 

 by any of the competitors for the premium 

 on grain crops, to attend to the measuring 

 of the grain at the time of gathering. They 

 have come to the conclusion not to award 

 premiums on wheat, rye, oats or corn. The 

 condition of many of the crops examined 

 while in a state of growth, gave evidence of 

 unusually large yields, and this has been 

 sustained by the certificates of the produ- 

 cers ; but your Committee believe they will 

 have performed their duty, by awarding pre- 

 miums only, after a careful examination in 

 person by one or more of the Committee. 

 Accordingly they have awarded premiums 

 as follows : 



To James Gowen, for the best sugar beets, 

 one acre 1078 bushels of sixty pounds to the 

 bushel, $8. 



To Lewis Willard, for the best acre of 

 Mercer potatoes, 426 bushels, % 8. 



To Henry Chorley, for the second best 

 acre do-, Colman's Agricultural Tour, $4. 

 ; To James Gowen, for the best quarter acre 



