ROOT CROPS. 113 



adopted was, to select a small parcel of land, presumed to contain 

 an average of the field, ascertain the exact quantity grown on this 

 space, and then compute the entire field as yielding accordingly. 

 As for instance, four rods of a field of onions were found to have 

 yielded 25 bushels — then 80 rods, or half an acre, would be taken 

 to have yielded 500, more or less, as the fact may be. This will 

 do, if the parcel to average is judiciously selected ; but who is to 

 judge of this ? surely not the claimant, or his hired laborers ; 

 nothing less than persons of experience in such matters, entirely 

 free from bias. This consideration applies with full force, to tho 

 several statements presented by Mr. Brown. The committee have 

 felt it due to truth and propriety, to present this matter distinctly, 

 that it may be passed on at the present time ; and a rule may be 

 established for future guidance. The committee have no reason to 

 believe that Mr. B. intended to mislead their judgment as to his 

 crops ; still they think his standard of measure altogether too loose 

 to be relied on. In the opinion of the committee, " averages are 

 at best hut guesses ;^^ and they think very few claimants will guess 

 against their own interest. 



" Where Self the wavering balance shakes, 

 It's rarely right adjusted." 



Mr. Brown's crops were as follows : 



Squashes. — 13 1-2 tons to the acre, of a kind called marketable, 

 by which we understand a kind that would sell — supposed to be a 

 mixture of the marrow with the African, growing much larger than 

 the genuine marrow, but not of so good quality. This was a largo 

 produce indeed — larger than your committee ever knew of the 

 marrow. Of the value of this variety the committee have no defi- 

 nite knowledge, and therefore do not think proper to award it a 

 premium. 



Cabbages. — 44,00 heads to the acre, using about ten square 

 feet to each plant, many of which weighed 20 pounds and upwards. 

 This was indeed a mammoth crop ; it was seen by the committee, 

 and in their opinion was well entitled to the premium of six dollars. 



Turnips. — Blue Swedish, a handsome variety and fine growth, 



yield thirteen tons and more to the half acre. These were seen by 



the committee, and in their opinion are well entitled to the premium 



of six dollars. 



15 



