15 



raised in the favorable locations in Berkshire with advantage. In 

 some towns, however, the high prices obtained for wool induced 

 the farmers to abandon entirely the growing of grain for bread, and 

 devote their farms to the sheep husbandry. 



Of corn, large crops have been frequently raised. In one of the 

 hill towns more than one hundred and ten bushels have been more 

 than once obtained. In these cases a favorable situation was selected 

 on the southern declivity of a hill, and the best cultivation was em- 

 ployed, the ground having been highly dressed with the spent ashes 

 of a potash establishment. 



1. Amounts of Crops. — I shall subjoin some statements of 

 the amount of crops in Berkshire. In many cases, wherever prac- 

 ticable, I have collected a number of respectable farmers together, 

 and obtained from them some general average of the crops in the 

 town. In other cases I have obtained from individuals, distinguished 

 for their practical skill and knowledge, the average amount of their 

 own crops, either in conversation, or from the farm reports with 

 which they have favored me. 



In Sheffield the crops of corn are rated at 30 bushels to the acre. 

 60, 80, 93, and 110 have been obtained. Of oats, 35 to 50 

 bushels are the average product. 80 bushels, 84 bushels and 

 upwards have been obtained. Of rye, 6 acres gave 30 bushels to 

 the acre — 8 acres gave 30 — and one acre 4G^ bushels. Of buck- 

 wheat, 30 bushels. Of wheat, without manure IS to 20 bushels — 

 29 bushels, 34 bushels, 36 bushels, 40 bushels have been 

 obtained. Of potatoes 200 bushels — 2 acres gave 600 bushels — i 

 of an acre gave 165 — rutabaga 800 bushels. — pease, in one case, 100 

 bushels on 2 acres. Of hay, on the alluvial lands 2 tons — and in 

 two cases, one of 4 acres and one of 5 acres, 3 tons were obtained. 

 In the eastern part of the town, called Konkapot, from the name of 

 the small stream flowing through it, the subjoined actual crops have 

 been obtained to the acre. Corn 60 bushels, wheat 40, oats 50, 60, 

 rye 25, potatoes 300. In Egremont the crops are thus rated : — corn 

 without manure, but plastered; 25 to 35 bushels, 40, 50 and 55 

 bushels — rye 12 to 15 bushels — oats 35 to 40 — wheat 15 — potatoes 

 175 to 200 — hay 1| to 2^ tons. Fifteen acres produced 52 bush- 

 els of corn to the acre, and the same land afrerwards yielded 1100 



