294 HOUSATONIC SOCIETY. 



which is mainly to elicit and disseminate agricultural infor- 

 mation. 



The applicants for premiums on oats numbered forty-six, the 

 like crop of which was never seen in Berkshire, and, as your 

 commitlee believe, seldom in New England or anywhere else. 

 Fields varying from fifteen to fifty acres, many of which were 

 judged to yield from sixty to ninety bushels to the acre, came 

 under the observation of the committee, and they have availed 

 themselves of every spare dollar, placed at their disposal, for a 

 bounty on this crop. 



The crop of Indian corn, owing in some measure to the 

 coldness of the season, may be characterized as in a backward 

 state and the ears not as well filled as usual, although some 

 large crops were brought to our notice. But few fields were 

 found well ripened, yet there were forty-seven entered for pre- 

 miums and but seven premiums to bestow. Here pause we 

 a moment to make a remark, which we consider of great im- 

 portance to the growers of Indian corn. Almost everywhere 

 in southern Berkshire, we found a great growth of stalk, in 

 comparison with the size of ear. Indeed we saw but one field 

 to which this remark would not apply : — If our brother farmers 

 would but take the trouble to procure good seed corn from the 

 north part of the county, they would be greatly benefited 

 thereby. 



Thirteen entries were made for potatoes, of which the crop 

 iSj in'the main, very sound, and in size, quality and yield, re- 

 minds us of the abundant crops gathered in former years. 



In a former part of this report we have said, that the more 

 important objects of the society is not the bestowal of pre- 

 miums, but to elicit and diffuse agricultural information, and to 

 arouse and spread abroad the spirit of improvement. And 

 that spirit, we are most happy to say, is aroused and is encom- 

 passing the whole length and breadth of our borders. We see 

 it in every valley and on every hill. Our waste places are 

 being brought under the hand of cultivation, commodious 

 houses and barns are in process of erection, and the motto of 

 the Berkshire husbandmen is still " excelsior." 



The committee award as follows : 



