Reports of Committers. 23 



find but little remaining yet to be busked ; a fact wbich few of us can remember of 

 saying before. We found the bills to vary from 2G to 3G to the rod, and the weight 

 from 55 to 72 lbs. The fields most thickly planted this year yielded the heaviest 

 orn, though as a rule we think 30 hills to the rod to be enough. 



Buckwheat. — A great growth of straw but not well filled, which was the general 

 complaint with all sowed grain . 



Beans. — A fair crop, though we had but few entries to look at. 



Potatoes. — A fair yield. The rot was found in many localities, more particularly 

 among the Early Rose and Prolific. The great number of varieties, all of which arc 

 claimed to be superior to any other, is getting to be an objection. Some three or 

 four kinds, known to be good yielders and good cooking potatoes, are enough for any 

 firmer. We saw one piece in Mt. Washington, raised by II. A. Goodale, called the 

 Peerless No. 0, which, if the quality is as good as the yield, will be a very valuable 

 potato. We dug one rod that weighed 296 lbs., but we think 260 lbs., would be a 

 fair average of the piece. 



Compost Heaps. — There were nine entries, and some we found very excellent. 

 The want of more attention in this direction has impoverished our lands to a great 

 extent, and never will they be brought back to their original goodness until the 

 farmer can be made to see the great importance of the compost heap. 



Fruit. — There is a good supply of all kinds of fruit, and especially of apples. 

 We were much pleased to find so many young orchards so heavily laden with fruit. 

 But we will not tresspass farther on your time, lest the great pleasure we have de- 

 rived in viewing the fine crops, the farms, the herds, and the beautiful scenery of 

 our country, the Switzerland of America, tempt us to draw too long a bow. 



We will only add our thanks for the kind and cordial hospitality we have every 

 where received, and for which the farmers of Berkshire are so well noted. 



We make the following awards : 



Winter Wheat — One Acke. 



1st Premium, Mrs. George N. Briggs, Pittsfield, $6,00 



I'd " Wm. II. Hill, Lenox, 5,00 



Spring Wheat— One Acre. 



1st Premium, Wm. O. Curtis, Lenox, $6,00 



2d " Reed Mills, Williamstown, 5,00 



3d " John W. Butler, Lenox, 4,00 



Ith " Henry Goodrich, Williamstown, 3,00 



5th " George 0. Peck, Lenox, 2,00 



Winter Rye — One Acre. 



1 st Premium, Geo. W. Hutchinson, Lenox, 08,00 



2d " Dwight Palmer, Stockbridge, 7,00 



3d " R. S. Hines, Lenox, 6,00 



4th " E. A. Bradley, Lee, 5,00 



5th " Charles Spurr, Sheffield, 4,00 



-ith •' Z. Candee, Sheffield, 3,00 



7th " Giles Torrey, Williamstown, , 2,00 



Winter Rye — Four Acres. 



1 st Premium, Orrin Curtis, Sheffield, 08,00 



2d " Daniel Fairchilds, Curtisville, 7,00 



3d " S. M. Cooper, Stockbridge, 6,00 



