62 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



fine samples were offered by J. B. Moore, of Concord, and 

 Samuel Hosmcr, of Acton, to whom we award the first and 

 second premiums. Their statements give description, &c. 



Rye. — This useful grain is capable of being cultivated on 

 most kinds of lands, but it is generally grown on light, sandy 

 soil. We very much doubt the advantage, in the end, of sow- 

 ing it, except on a very rich soil, — too rich for wheat, — or where 

 wheat would lodge. Many farmers sow it on their exhausted 

 lands too poor to grow anything else, and expect to get a 

 remunerative crop. The cost of labor is equal to the worth of 

 the crop, and the land left in much poorer condition. We fail 

 to see the advantage in such management, or how such farming 

 will make the farmer skilful, prosperous or thriving. When 

 land is to be brought into a pasture, it is a mistake to raise rye, 

 although we may receive more ready cash by so doing, but, in 

 the end, more would be realized by seeding with grass alone. 

 We have only spoken of some of the most important grains. 



E. Wood, Chairman. 



Statement of John B. Moore. 



Wheat. — I offer for inspection one bushel of white winter 

 wheat (name of the variety is unknown to me.) It is a bald 

 wheat, and very early ripe, and cut the third and fourth days of 

 July. From accurate measurement of seven square rods, which, 

 after being thoroughly dried and threshed, yielded 119 pounds 

 of clear wheat, which, by measure, weighed 62 pounds per 

 bushel. An acre, at the same rate, would have yielded 45^ 

 bushels, of 60 pounds each. 



The soil upon which it was grown is a black, sandy loam, 

 rather moist, upon which there had been raised a crop of corn 

 fodder in 1864. The first week in September, soon after the 

 same was gathered, the land was ploughed and the corn stubble 

 gathered and carted off; then a dressing of twenty-five horse- 

 cart loads of compost manure, from the cow yard, spread upon 

 the ground. It was then sowed with wheat, at the rate of one 

 bushel to the acre, and the whole wheat and manure ploughed 

 in to the depth of four inches, as near as possible, then sown 

 with grass seed, harrowed with a brush harrow, and finished by 

 rolling. The grass seed took finely, and the last of August, 

 1865, 1 cut a very good crop of grass upon the same ground. 



