WORCESTER SOCIETY. 71 



done if all the entries had been made in strict compliance with 

 the rules of the Society, reserving the question of error, to be 

 considered at a subsequent time, if it should become necessary. 

 Before proceeding upon the examination of the crops of the 

 competitors, they viewed the carrot field of Mr. Hammond, a 

 member of the committee, which had not been entered in com- 

 petition with others, and is now noticed, as presenting to them 

 a singular appearance. The tops had evidently been, but a 

 short time before, of a most luxuriant growth, and from some 

 cause unknown to the committee, unless it had been occasioned 

 by the severe drought which had prevailed the last summer and 

 autumn, the tops of the greater part of the roots were lying on 

 the ground in a decayed state, and, in some instances in 

 which the rot had extended to the root, places were found, where 

 roots of large size had decayed, leaving holes in the earth, of 

 corresponding size. 



The chairman availed himself of the opportunity of examining 

 Mr. Hammond's barn, which has been erected within a few 

 years, and although this may not be considered as strictly within 

 the limits of the duties imposed by the Society, having relation 

 to the growth of vegetables, it may not be deemed altogether 

 inappropriate, as he can assure them that it is an uncommonly 

 good place to spend a root crop. 



The barn is ninety feet long, forty-two feet wide, and eighteen 

 feet posts, above the basement or cellar which extends under 

 the whole barn. This cellar is open to the yard on the east side 

 of the building. The place for the cattle is on the west side of 

 the barn floor, both of which extend the whole length of the 

 building. The floor for the cattle-stable is let down two feet 

 below the sills of the building, giving thereby more room for 

 hay over the cattle, and making it more convenient to feed them, 

 from the centre floor. The manure is let down behind the cat- 

 tle into the cellar below, there to be mixed with other substances, 

 and where all the urine is saved, for beneficial use. At that 

 time, there was a large quantity of dung in the basement story, 

 protected from evaporation and the washing of rains, retaining 

 its full strength. This manure was produced by his cows dur- 

 ing the past summer. Mr. Hammond has, during the last 



