110 BERKSHIRE SOCIETY. 



opinion is not supported by the result of chemical analysis. It 

 is, however, universally admitted to be an unfavorable crop to 

 stock with clover or timothy, which fact has induced many farm- 

 ers to relinquish the cultivation of them, with the exception 

 of what they need for their own consumption. They are, how- 

 ever, sown with a good degree of success on turfs turned over 

 either in the fall or spring ; and it is a process, in the view of 

 some, by which the land is admirably fitted for a crop of corn 

 the following season. 



There were 30 pieces of corn entered for premium, all of 

 which were good ; and we are of the opinion that, if the time ever 

 was when the cornfields were burdened with their own pro- 

 ductions, we found them so the present season. Great improve- 

 ment has been made within a few years past in the cultivation 

 of this important crop. The farmers of Berkshire have seen 

 the folly of attempting to cultivate more corn than they can 

 manure suitably, and plant and hoe in proper season. We are 

 fully prepared to accord with the views expressed by former 

 committees, viz., that the crop of corn, if judiciously cultivated, 

 is among the most profitable raised in this country. We have 

 been called to view some pieces, which, in our opinion, were 

 planted quite too thick. The pieces viewed by us varied from 

 27 to more than 50 hills to the square rod. The most suitable 

 number, in the opinion of your Committee, is from 30 to 35, with 

 4 to 5 plants in a hill. If planted thicker than this, the ears are 

 much diminished in length and in number. The proper medium 

 should be sought, and this can only be found by experiment. 



The entries of meslins were less numerous than those of most 

 other crops, being only six. They, however, were mostly good ; 

 but so great was the variety of the mixture, that we were much 

 perplexed in coming to a decision upon their merits. We found 

 presented to us for examination, under the name of meslins, 

 oats and peas, oats and rye, oats and barley, rye and wheat, 

 and wheat and barley ; but which of the mixtures are most en- 

 titled to preference, it is extremely difficult to decide. 



The agriculturists, in the north part of the county especially, 

 are justly feeling a deeper interest in the cultivation of barley 

 than has heretofore existed. It is not only found to be bountiful 



