42 



raise as good crops as others." And tins is true. But the 

 greatest crops from a given quantity of land are not, after all, 

 what will most benefit the farmer or the public. Our Society's 

 premiums ought to be awarded, it seems to me, for the greatest 

 amount of j^rofit, all things considered, derived from a given 

 quantity of land. Or, for that method or system of cultivation, by 

 adopting and practising which, the farmer will be most benefitted. 

 A person may, occasionally, by accident and with no calculation 

 or particular effort, raise a large and remarkably fine crop. But 

 in this there is no merit, lie has onlj'- followed the same practice 

 which he has been in the habit of using for years, when it often 

 failed from some unknown cause ; and there is nothing to be 

 learned from his course, of any special advantage to the public. 

 Why then should a premium be awarded for his accidentally large 

 crop ? If a farmer is raising corn for bis own use or for sale, the 

 larger his crop, the greater, of course, the profit it will yield. But 

 not so with all crops. I would not manure ground so heavily as 

 to cut from it three tons of hay per acre, although, by so doing, 

 I might obtain a premium. For all which is cut over two tons 

 per acre, is usually of little worth, or not sufficient to pay for the 

 extra trouble and expense it requires. But on this subject I 

 cannot enlarge, as I would like to do, and may do, perhaps, at a 

 future time. 



The comparative profit of making and selling milk, instead of 

 butter and cheese, is a subject upon which much might, with great 

 advantage, be written. Many farmers err, it seems to me, in 

 opinion and practice, respecting this matter. They imagine it 

 is most profitable to make butter and cheese. But they sell milk 

 at the door, because this requires little labor. They can ascertain 

 and reckon their gains too, every night, or every week ; and they 

 take much pleasure in doing it. But in making butter and cheese, 

 there are many things, besides immediate cash returns, as, for 

 instance, the pork raised and manure gathered, — which are legiti- 

 mately connected with the business and go to make up its yearly 

 profit. These, however, are not immediately visible nor easily es- 

 timated, and, therefore, are overlooked. But I think it may be 

 clearly shown that where a farmer keeps from six to ten cows, he 

 would find it much the most profitable to make butter and cheese. 



I must, however, bring this communication to a close. If these 

 hints afford anything worthy of a place in your Report, my labor 

 will be amply repaid. 



Yours respectfully, 



Charles Breck. 



