126 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



that none but those who saw it in its original state could hardly 

 believe in the wonderful change that has been wrought upon it. 

 And the successful operations carried on here, it is to be hoped, 

 will be thought worthy of imitation by others in the same 

 locality as well as those more remote. 



One great secret of successful farming is not lost sight of 

 here, as will be seen in large quantities of well-housed com- 

 posted manure, which gives in return, not only heavy crops of 

 grahi and grass, but most enormous crops of roots, the raising 

 of which is of no small importance to every farmer that keeps 

 a stock of cattle. When twenty tons of mangold wurtzel can 

 be grown upon an acre of land with no more labor than it 

 requires to raise an acre of corn, it would seem that there 

 could no longer be a question about the utility as well as profit 

 of such a crop. And more than this has been produced by Mr. 

 Stedman upon one acre of his land, or at this rate, this season. 

 Unlike liis competitor, (Mr. Sessions,) Mr. Stedman has given 

 his attention to the breeding of i)ure Shorthorns, and has 

 some very noticeable specimens. Every thing connected with 

 this farm seems to have the proper attention of its proprietor, 

 and a rich reward is reaped for such attention. In deciding 

 upon the merits of these two farms, the directors found it very 

 difficult to decide which, alone, was entitled to the premium ; 

 either Avell deserving it, and if the funds and rules of the 

 society would have admitted of it, the directors would with 

 pleasure have awarded the fifty dollars to each, knowing that 

 it would not be unworthily bestowed. But under the cir- 

 cumstances they were unanimous in dividing the fifty dollar 

 premium equally between the two, and Mr. Stedman has 

 generously given his half back for the use of the society. 



H. E. MosELEY, for the Directors. 



Statement of Pliineas Stedman. 



In presenting this my third annual report, I have nothing of 

 marked interest or importance to communicate. While I can 

 see some improvements both special and general, I am only 

 more conscious of the need of others on every hand. I can 

 present no statements of large or unusual crops, my object 



