SECRETARY'S REPORT. 119 



success. Sections of New York, which formerly produced 

 thirty bushels per acre, have been so reduced by this process, 

 that they do not now produce more than eight. Ohio does not 

 average over thirteen bushels per acre, and Illinois but seven. 

 If this process continues, the time is not far distant when all 

 the wheat they can raise will be consumed at home, and we 

 shall, from necessity, be compelled to produce our own, or use 

 other grain as a substitute. Would it not be wise, then, while 

 we foster industry in mechanics and manufactures, to engage 

 with spirit and enterprise in the raising of our bread stuffs, and 

 by the light of science and experience learn to do it with 

 success. 



The facts abundantly warrant us in the opinion, that wheat 

 can be successfully and profitably cultivated in this State. A 

 little more than a century ago it was one of the common, 

 ordinary crops. Sufficient was raised for home consumption, 

 and it was an article of export. A history of the commence- 

 ment, progress and decline of its cultivation, might be inter- 

 esting and profitable, but necessity compels iis to pass over it 

 in a cursory manner. 



The first wheat planted in the soil of Massachusetts, and 

 probably of the continent, was by Gosnold, in 1602, when he 

 first explored the New England coast. He landed on the 

 Elisabeth Islands, and to prove the soil, planted pease and beans, 

 and sowed wheat, barley and other grain. This was eighteen 

 years before the arrival of the Mayflower. The first settlers of 

 the Plymouth Colony brought no seed of wheat with them for 

 sowing ; and their crops for several years were Indian corn, 

 barley, and pease. 



The settlers of the Massachusetts Colony, who arrived in 1628, 

 among other grains, seeds and plants, brought over a hogshead 

 of wheat in the ear for sowing, and as soon as the first rude pre- 

 parations of the settlement were completed, its cultivation was 

 commenced. The new grain seems to have taken kindly to the 

 soil and climate. No mention is made for many years of any 

 want of success in its cultivation. On the contrary, its growth 

 was so successful that it soon became an important article of 

 export from the colony, and laws were passed to regulate the 

 trade in wheat. At a " Generall Court held at Boston the 

 T^ day of the 9"^ M*' 1641, it was voted that a deputy of every 



