MR. stone's address. 19 



ground cultivated. Owing to some erroneous principle in cul- 

 tivation, shallow ploughing, and spreading the manure on two 

 acres that ought to be put on one, for example, the corn crop 

 often does not "pay well," — at least farmers say so — while 

 the complaint is not less frequent, of " small potatoes and few 

 in a hill." 



I do not suppose we can raise the large crops of corn, per 

 acre, that are produced in the west — nor do I think we can vie 

 with the Green Mountain State in the culture of potatoes, 

 where some of the best farmers consider 1000 or 1200 bushels 

 per acre an ordinary crop. But that these crops can be made 

 more prolific, and consequently more profitable, than they now 

 are, I do believe. The late Agricultural Commissioner of Mas- 

 sachusetts, in his survey of this county, presents instances in 

 which 105, 110, 113 1-2, 115 and 117 1-4 bushels of corn have 

 been harvested from an acre, and 400, 484 and 518 1-2 bushels 

 of potatoes. These were extraordinary yields, and not speci- 

 mens of what may be commonly expected under the most im- 

 proved systems of husbandry; but I entirely coincide with that 

 gentleman, that " with less than 50 bushels of corn to the 

 acre, and 300 bushels of potatoes, no farmer ought to rest con- 

 tented." 



An alarming phenomenon in the potato culture, at the pre- 

 sent moment, is the disease that has proved so destructive, and 

 which appears to be annually extending the sphere of its rava- 

 ges. Many and contradictory causes have been assigned for 

 this disease ; but after perusing the various theories published 

 on the subject, I confess myself still in doubt. I can only say, 

 in the language of Gov. Lincoln, " it is death to the 'potato^ — 

 Though we may not now penetrate the mysteries of this' 

 disease, we may, at least, learn from it our dependence on the 

 " God of the Harvest." Happy for us, if we receive the lesson. 

 The selection of seed corn deserves consideration. This 

 should be made in the field, before harvesting, from the fairest 

 and most forward ears. This process, constantly practised, will, 

 in a few years, advance the ripening of the crop a fortnight. 

 Of this fact, the exhibition of to-day, is a satisfactory evidence. 

 By thus obtaining seed that will mature two weeks earlier than 



