96 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



can afford to apply manure enough, and can hoe his corn every 

 morning, his hundred bushels are sure. This, however, does 

 not teach his poor neighbor how he may make a living by raising 

 corn ; on the contrary, it]is only a gratification to private vanity, 

 and of no public use. It is still a matter of doubt with many, 

 whether it is profitable, as a general rule, to raise more than 

 forty bushels of corn to the acre ; but this doubt would not have 

 existed, if a large number of farmers, in various parts of the 

 county, had been in the habit of keeping accurate accounts of 

 their business. So important does this matter of accounts 

 appear, that the committee are of opinion that due attention to 

 this subject would necessarily bring all other practicable 

 improvements in its train. 



The most important result of the competition for the premium 

 on farms, is the duty which it imposes of making exact returns 

 of the products of the year, with their cost and market value ; 

 with the expenses, however, of the whole farm only, and not 

 those of each crop. Yet, even this general attention to the 

 accounts of the farm will induce habits of thought that will 

 render the farmer dissatisfied until he knows the exact cost of 

 every thing he produces ; and knowing this, he will reject that 

 which is unprofitable, and devote himself exclusively to that 

 department of agriculture which exactly suits him and his 

 circumstances. 



The two farms offered for premium have been visited twice 

 by the committee during the present season, and they are happy 

 to be able to say that all the progress is being made that could 

 reasonably be expected under the circumstances. They are 

 well aware that no very remarkable results are to be looked for. 

 The farms are just such as are to be seen all over our county ; 

 the improvements are just such as are within the means of 

 almost all. On this account, perhaps, are these two cases of 

 competition the more interesting, as other farmers will not be 

 discouraged from making similar efforts. 



Charles Burton, Chairman. 



Statement of Ephraim B. T/iompson. 

 The present year I have cultivated as follows : — 

 One and one-half acres rye, eighteen bushels, one and one-half 

 tons straw. 



