HAMPDEN SOCIETY. 49 



finally pass away, and crops will again crown the labors of the 

 husbandman with abundance. The potato is a necessary of 

 life, in all countries where it can be cultivated and kept. In 

 this, as in other valuable crops, there will occasionally be a fail- 

 ure. The wheat has its fly, its rust, and its winter-kill, to dis- 

 appoint the farmer. The Indian corn is liable to be destroyed 

 by the early and the late frosts, to be devoured at the beginning 

 and the end of its growth by the crow and the blackbird. The 

 apple, the peach, the pear, and the plum, have each their ene- 

 mies, which occasionally diminish or destroy the fruit. These 

 should not discourage the cultivator, but he should persevere 

 and continue to plant and to sow. 



We have abundant cause of gratitude to the Author of all 

 good, that the products of the earth designed for the food of 

 man, are so numerous, so perfect, so plenteous, that, if one fails, 

 be it ever so important, an endless variety is still in reserve for 

 our sustenance and enjoyment. 



S. B. WOODWARD, Chairman. 



Poultry. 



Lyman Church's Stateinent. 



The average number of hens kept by me, the last year, I es- 

 timate at one hundred and forty ; mostly of a cross between 

 the Dorking and the common hen. The oft-repeated and puz- 

 zling inquiry, as to whether fowls may be profitably kept upon 

 a farm, is satisfactorily settled in my mind ; and, for the satis- 

 faction of others, I submit the actual cost of keeping them, 

 with a fair estimate of the value of the stock on hand at the 

 commencement and close of the season, together with the quan- 

 tity of eggs produced, &c. : — 



Yalue of stock, Nov. 1, 1847, . . $40 35 



Expense of feed, . . . 116 45 



$156 80 



