94 



REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON GRAIN" CROPS. 



To the Secretary of Essex Agricultural Society: 



The Committee on Grain Crops report but two entries, same 

 number as last year. One of Indian corn, by the same person. 

 O. P. Kilham, of Boxford. One of barley, by Silas Plumer, of 

 Newbury. Both crops were entered to be visited immediately, 

 which leaves no time to notify the committee in all parts of the 

 county. I visited Mr. Plumer's crop July 8th, and he cut it the 

 10th. It was very early, and had not lodged any this wet year. 

 I think the reason he did not get more than 38 bushels, was that 

 the seed, though from a premium crop is deteriorating, as there 

 were two and four rowed barley, with a few oats, which shows 

 that we should have the best of seed. We recommend that 

 Mr. Plumer be given the first premium of $10.* 



I visited Mr. Kilham's corn the 7th of Sept., the same daj r 

 that I received the entry. He had begun to cut and stook it. 

 The ears were very uniform in size, dry and ripe ; it showed the 

 same clean cultivation as last year, but the grass was show- 

 ing its claim on the land. We recommend that Mr. Kilham be 

 given the premium of $10. 



He has given a very exact statement ; but I do not agree 

 with the profit. Plowing and harrowing on his corn land last 

 year, was $9.00. Cultivating and hoeing, $7.00. This year 

 it should be twice that, as the corn was in drills, and had to be 

 thinned ; and also a wet vear. The corn stover should be valued 

 not over $24. The amount of grass that would grow if not 

 plowed, which I think would have been heavy, should have this 

 extra plowing expense reckoned also. 



Andrew Dodge — For the Committee. 



*The T-ustees would not suspend the rules to allow a preuuuui on a crop less 

 than 40 bushels to the acre. 



STATEMENT OF OLIVER P. KILHAM. 



The two years, 1887 and 1888, the land produced light crops 

 of English hay, 1200 to 1500 pounds per acre, no manure was 



