54 



the practice of saving their own grass seeds is doing a 

 work of more than ordinary value and importance. There 

 are two considerations which urge strongly to a more gen- 

 eral adoption of this practice. One is, the danger of im- 

 porting the seeds of pernicious weeds in foreign grass 

 seeds, and the other, the saving of a sum of money, which 

 although it may be small in individual cases, in the aggre- 

 gate in any one of our own towns would show an amount 

 hardly suspected by most of us. 



We noticed but one sample of Hungarian grass seed. 

 This is a kind of grass or grain but lately introduced to 

 this region, but it seems to have qualities which render it 

 worthy of a more general trial and to this end we think 

 your Society would do well to offer premiums for its cul- 

 tivation and also for experiments as to its comparative 

 value, both as a forage and a grain crop. In order to in- 

 sure success it should be sown on clear land in a good 

 condition. 



The examination of the different kinds of grain we con- 

 sidered much the most interesting part of our work and to 

 this we next directed our attention. 



We noticed but one sample of winter wheat and that 

 presented by the Messrs. Adams of Plain ville, quality 

 very fine. Of spring wheat there were several samples, 

 all good and two of them of the best so nearly alike that 

 we could hardly decide which should have the preference. 

 Some facts in regard to the hardiness and productiveness 

 of the kind exhibited by John A. Morton induced us to 

 recommend to him a gratuity. The past season has fully 

 demonstrated the fact that under favorable conditions as to 

 temperature and the proper degree of moisture, what can 

 be made a paying crop. We have heard of many instances 

 in which twenty-five and thirty bushels per acre have been 

 raised. This should stimulate us to try again for to say 

 nothing of profit there is a satisfaction in raising our own 

 bread, which a farmer in love with his business will hard- 

 ly forego even though he sometimes fail in his attempts. 



