ROOT CROPS. 113 



EOOT CEOPS. 



ESSEX. 



From the Report of the Committee. 



On reading the statements of the cost of producing the 

 crops entered for the premiums of the society, this question 

 naturally suggests itself. For what purpose does the society 

 offer these premiums ? Is it simply for the pleasure of pay- 

 ing out the amount awarded the successful competitor ? or 

 does it rather expect in return tljat their statements shall 

 furnish some new ideas or information gained as to the cost 

 of producing the crop in question? 



No new information can be acquired unless we step out of 

 the old routine, and endeavor by carefully conducted experi- 

 ments to determine whether the new idea is an improvement 

 on the old, or the new method demonstrated to be a success 

 by the results. 



If by using any of the many different kinds of concen- 

 trated fertilizers now in the market, we can produce as large 

 a crop as we can by using barn or stable manure, and at 

 one-half the cost of the latter, it is certainly a step in the 

 right direction, — a step which we are all in favor of, that of 

 decreasing our expenses, and increasing our receipts. 



If, by taking a few hundred pounds of a concentrated fer- 

 tilizer, and applying it by a few hours' labor to an acre of 

 land, we can produce as large a crop of potatoes, squashes, 

 onions, cabbages, or turnips, as could have been produced 

 by the old and more laborious method of applying six cords 

 of stable manure to the same, we have demonstrated practi- 

 cally a fact which commends itself at once to every farmer. 



Many farmers do not know the cost of raising any given 

 crop ; keeping no record whereby they can judge whether 

 they have made or lost by the operation. Many labor on in 

 the old routine of applying a small amount of barn manure 

 yearly, and adopting the old methods of cultivation, trusting 

 to a propitious season to produce a paying crop. 



15* 



