gl2 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



fection of quality and ripeness, and at less cost of labor and 

 expense than in any other of the towns named, while in all 

 the towns a good degree of interest is manifested by a high state 

 of cultivation of the field crops, especially the corn, that being 

 chiefly relied upon by the farmers in preparing their stock for 

 the market. Increased attention has been given to the cultiva- 

 tion of the potato, in a variety of choice kinds ; also to the 

 raising of carrots, beets and turnips, they being considered 

 indispensable, not only to cows in milk, but to sheep and 

 growing stock. 



The attention of farmers has been given to the importance of 

 reclaiming (what heretofore has been considered worthless,) 

 waste lands, generally the low, swampy or marsh lands, which 

 are found in larger or smaller quantities in most, if not all, of 

 the towns named. These marsh swamps are composed of vege- 

 table substances, that have for ages been accumulating, and are 

 found in the valleys and at the bases of hills and mountains, 

 which, by a process of deep draining, and clearing and burning 

 of the surface, are found to be amongst the most productive 

 and valuable lands we have. Much of this land is annually 

 reclaimed and brought into cultivation, and is adding to the 

 cultivated lands in this part of the county. 



The cultivation of tobacco and hops, for the past few years, 

 has been steadily increasing. The towns of Sheffield, Stock- 

 bridge and Tyringham furnish lands well suited to growing 

 tobacco. Among the most successful cultivators of this crop 

 known to me, are Mr. Daniel Clark, of Tyringham, and John B. 

 Hull, of Stockbridge. Mr. Clark informs me that, in 1864, he 

 raised and sold, from one-half acre, of dry, merchantable tobacco, 

 1,680 pounds, or at the rate of 3,360 pounds to the acre. The 

 tobacco sold in bulk, with other and inferior tobacco, for thirty 

 cents per pound, giving a product of $504 for the half acre. 

 Mr. Hull's yield of tobacco is but little inferior to this. Hops 

 are raised with good success in Stockbridge, Egremont, and 

 Alford, and selling at prices now that stimulate the cultivator 

 of this crop. 



A general increased attention is given by the farmers to 

 improving their farms by more thorough and frequent draining, 

 clearing up of hedges and waste lands, well built and durable 

 fences, improved and well arranged farm buildings, and above 



