28 BERKSHIRE SOCIETY. 



Indian corn appears to be a favorite crop with the members 

 of the society, and one in which they take great interest. This 

 is well attested by the care they bestow upon its cultivation, 

 and the desire they manifest to procure the best variety of seed 

 for planting. Thirty-four fields were examined, 17 of which 

 ranged from 1 bushel 8 quarts to 1 bushel 24 quarts, per square 

 rod, even measure, closely packed. Of the 6 pieces, for which 

 the committee have awarded the regular premiums, the first 

 5 were of 12-row, 2 varieties, all in good condition for the time 

 of year. The 6th and best was of S-row variety, a heavy 

 growth, but not as well ripened. 



Of spring-wheat, 31 fields were offered, most of which were 

 considered as being above a medium, and several of them as 

 seldom surpassed. The same remarks will apply to the crop 

 of oats, of which 28 pieces were offered; also to barley, of 

 which 13 pieces were examined, and likewise to meslins. Of 

 this crop, the committee found various mixtures, — oats with 

 peas ; rye with oats ; oats with barley ; and oats with wheat. 

 The crop seems to be gradually growing into favor with the 

 farmers, and is well appreciated by those who cultivate it. 



Of potatoes, 11 pieces were offered. The crop is considered 

 a fair average of former years, and, with some trifling excep- 

 tions, free from disease. 



Six pieces of carrots, and 4 pieces of sugar-beets were pre- 

 sented, all of which promised fair ; but the season was not far 

 enough advanced to determine, with any degree of certainty, 

 what the ultimate production would be. 



Thus it will be perceived, that, with regard to crops, the 

 committee are enabled to keep the same tone throughout — 

 good — good ; there are no failures. In the aggregate, it is be- 

 lieved that the crops considerably exceed what is usual. It is, 

 truly, a year of abundance. 



In their perambulations through the county, another subject, 

 beside that of crops, pressed itself upon the attention of the 

 committee, — the subject of improvement, the marks of which, 

 in a greater or less degree, were strikingly apparent in almost 

 every town. The swamps and waste lands that are being re- 

 claimed from the dominion of desolation and the noxious gases. 



