46 



entitle him to the first premium. While it is always desirable to 

 approximate by figures, as nearly as may be, to the actual pi-ofit 

 or loss of such improvements, yet the willingness to undertake 

 such a work should be commended and encouraged. No one, on 

 seeing the heavy crops of corn upon this field, could doubt that 

 the profit would more than balance the outlay. The Committee 

 commend the excellent suggestions contained in Mr. Richards's 

 communication, and hope that their brother farmers will be in- 

 duced to put them in practice. The Committee have read with 

 pleasure the exact statements of Mr. Smith of the debt and credit 

 account of his field. Fortified by such facts the farmer may go 

 resolutely to work, secure that he shall lose nothing, and that, in 

 the end, the gain will be great. Mr. Sawin, of the Committee, 

 himself a successful competitor last year, is of opinion that five 

 cows can be pastured in his field better than one could be before it 

 Avas improved, and that the money which it cost is invested at ten 

 per cent. The Committee would call attention to the fact that 

 Avith improved feed, improved fences would follow, and with it bet- 

 ter habits in cattle, who are apt to find the Aveak places, and Avho 

 make more trouble by getting out and by injuring a neighbor's 

 crops, than can be easily remedied. 



To Mr. Richards the first premium is awarded of ten dollars. 



To Mr. Smith the second premium is awarded of five dollars. 

 For the Committee, 



BENJ. G. KIMBALL, Chairman. 



Needham, Dec. 1, 1860. 



STATEMENT OF CALVIN RICHARDS. 



Gentlemen : — I again call your attention to the pasture lands 

 vicAved by you the past year, that you may see the crops of this, 

 and judge for yourselves of the improvements, with the desire 

 that through your re23ort others may be induced to do likcAvise. 



It is admitted, by most farmers, that a large part of the pas- 

 tures of this section of the country are alloAved either to grow 

 Avood or bushes to such an extent as greatly to lessen the income 

 of the cultivated fields. Is not this part of husbandry worthy of 

 more attention than it receives ? 



In addition to Avhat has been done to the land in question, the 

 Avhole has been thoroughly ploughed the present season, and 

 about four acres planted to corn, three-quarters of an acre to po- 

 tatoes, and one-fourth of an acre summer tilled. I have applied 

 about six cords of compost manure to the acre, Avith the addition 

 of a handful of hen manure on one half of the land planted to 

 corn. The Avhole has been hoed twice. 



C. RlCIIAKDS. 



Dover, Sept. 20, 1860. 



