38 ESSEX SOCIETY. 



Last year this piece of land produced about one ton of hay. 

 Soon after it was mowed, it was ploughed with a large plough, 

 at least eight inches deep, and five cords of manure spread and 

 thorouo-hly harrowed — the manure used was such as is made in 

 hog-pens from meadow mud, loam and barn manure ; the seed 

 was sowed and covered with a harrow, and rolled on the thir- 

 teenth of September ; on the first of May following, thirty 

 bushels of leached ashes were spread, and in June, two bushels 

 of plaster of Paris. 



Andover, Oct. IS, 1851. 



Henry Poor^s Statement. 



I present for premium, samples of white flint, and blue stem 

 winter wheat. Of the white flint, I measured an exact acre, 

 which produced twenty-six bushels clear wheat. Of the two 

 varieties, it may be difficult to judge which has the greatest 

 intrinsic value for flouring purposes, they both being of the 

 same weight, sixty pounds to the bushel. 



The " blue stem," derives its name from the blue shade of 

 the straw, before and after it is ripe, while the other is of a 

 golden color. The " Patent Office reports " from various sec- 

 tions of the country, report more favorably for " Soule's blue 

 stem," than any other variety. 



After several years of successful experiments, I trust I shall 

 be pardoned in bringing once more to your notice, this much 

 neglected and all important branch of agriculture in New Eng- 

 land. I think it no dream of fancy, that the time is nigh at 

 hand, when the New England farmer will raise his own bread, 

 and to spare — and here, I would ask, what obstacles are in his 

 way ? Should he lack/o27/«, and the little he might have, need 

 confirmation, let him visit this neighborhood, or extend his 

 inquiries into Maine. We all know, good soil and manure are 

 indispensable in producing any crop. How little value in com- 

 parison with wheat, are all the small grains which every farmer 

 cultivates. No particular art or skill is required in cultivating 

 wheat. Where general information is had on the subject, we 

 need not fear results. 



Andover, Sept. 23, 1851. 



