SECRETARY'S REPORT. 



87 



connection the particular machines which I thought, on the 

 whole, the most valuable for use in the various processes of cul- 

 tivating and harvesting the crop. The comparative merits of 

 each are within the easy reach of every intelligent farmer, and 

 he can avail himself of them with all the light of the experience 

 of farmers, as given in the transactions of the societies from 

 year to year. 



After it is harvested and husked, it will usually shrink more 

 or less, depending upon the degree of ripeness it has attained, 

 and the variety. The shrinkage is often as great as 25 per 

 cent., and even more. 



On tliis point, the careful statements of the supervisor of 

 the Plymouth County Agricultural Society, Mr. E. P. Howland, 

 are full and valuable. He says : — 



" From each of the seven acres, I harvested two rods in 

 October, selecting, as near as we could judge, average rods, or 

 as good as the fields would average. 



" This corn I took home with me, spread it separately on 

 high scaffolds in my barn, where it had a good circulation of 

 air through two open windows, and I shelled, weighed and 

 measured it, on the first week of January, 1859, with the fol- 

 lowing results : — 



Tabic of Weight of Two Rods, kepi by the Supervisor. 



