268 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



During the last season, our crops suffered from the protracted 

 drought. Perhaps we had an average crop of Enghsh hay. 

 Corn and grain were the greatest sufferers. It would be impos- 

 sible to give any reliable statistics as to the actual amount of 

 farm products, as the writer had no opportunity to gather the 

 necessary information. "We can only say that there has been a 

 marked increase in the interest manifested l)y the farmers of the 

 island in regard to farm improvements and the raising of better 

 crops. The agricultural society is exerting a silent but power- 

 ful influence for good, and the friends of the society are gratified 

 to know that this influence is shown by the steadily increasing 

 inquiry on the part of our people as to the best modes of culti- 

 vation ; the better care bestowed on stock, and the selection of 

 the best breeds. 



Sheep husbandry is receiving increased attention. Experi- 

 ments have been made in former years, of introducing the Cots- 

 wold and Leicester breeds among our flocks, but not with the 

 happiest results ; these breeds are better for mutton than 

 «wool, and as wool is what the farmers of that section keep their 

 sheep for, they find that the coarse, open fleeces are not what 

 they desire to produce. Besides, although our pastures may be 

 sweet, they are not over prolific in grass. Consequently, the 

 large, mutton sheep will never arrive at that state of perfection 

 which characterizes them in more favored localities. 



"Within the past three years, at the suggestion of Matthew 

 Smith, Esq., of this Board, a few Merinos and Southdowns 

 have been introduced, and these, crossed with the natives, are a 

 great improvement. 



There has been but very little to encourage our farmers to 

 raise fine wool, for the purchasers, who come to the island from 

 Boston and elsewhere, have never been willing to discriminate 

 between the fine and coarse wool, but have paid one price for 

 coarse and fine alike. The last season, however, some difference 

 in price was obtained in a few instances. The amount of wool 

 clip the past season was about thirty thousand pounds. 



The chief object of interest in connection with the agriculture 

 of Martha's Vineyard is the effort now being made to improve 

 the breeds of neat stock on the island. It is well known, by 

 many members of this Board, that the Martha's Vineyard Agri- 



