32 



of the seed and manure, at $8 to $10 per acre. It is considered as 

 an exhauster of the soil ; and is not to be chosen for the purpose 

 of Inying down land to grass ; the crop being usually cut close with 

 a scythe, the stubble affords no protection to the young crop. 



A new kind of barley has been introduced into West Newbury, 

 called by some, the Wheat, by others, the Naked Barley, because 

 it separates easily from the husk. Its yield is said to be equal to that 

 of other barley ; and its flour to be superior. It has been cultivated 

 but not extensively, in the interior of the state. By Davy's tables, 

 barley meal contains a large proportion of nutritive matter, being 920 

 parts in 1,000 ; 790 of mucilage or starch; 70 of sugar, and 60 of 

 gluten. 



Oats are considerably cultivated in Essex County. The crop, 

 however, is not large. In Danvers 40 bushels to the acre ; Meihuen 

 30 bs. ; Amesbury 30 bs. ; Wenham 25 Ls. ; Ipswich 25 bs. ; 

 Hamilton 30 bs. ; Rowley 25, 30 bs. ; West Amesbury 30 bs. ; 

 Salisbury 25 bs. ; Newbury 30, 50 bs. ; Andover 50 bs. ; Lynn 

 50 bs. This would give an average of 33 bushels to the acre. 



The expense of cultivating, is thus calculated by an experienced 

 farmer in Newbury, who estimates his crop at about 50 bushels to 

 the acre : 



Ploughing $1.50; harrowing $1.50; harvesting $2.50 ; thresh- 

 ing and cleaning $5.00 ; seed 3 bushels; if sowed alone, 2 bs. if 

 with grass seed, say $1.50 ; total $12. This yield considerably ex- 

 ceeds the average through the country. The expense of threshing 

 is much too high. The general price of oats per bushel is 50 cents. 

 The last year has been an exception ; and when hay is at $20, and 

 corn at $1, they will generally command 62 J cents. The farmers 

 disapprove the use of them as a crop with which to lay down land to 

 grass ; and yet they are much used in this way. They are general 

 favorites because the cultivation of them is easy ; and it is thought 

 they will put up with almost any treatment. One great difficulty in 

 the way of cultivating them is their liability to blight, especially 

 where the land is rich and highly manured. A kind of oats cultiva- 

 ted in the central and northern parts of this county, and known by 

 the local name of Kilham Oats, from the gentleman, who, it is said, 



