PLYMOUTH SOCIETY. 129 



work every year, not only without loss, but with something of 

 profit. If all our farmers, in the composition and application of 

 manure, would observe the simple rule of dressing fields with 

 materials that form a contrast to the natural soil, in half a cen- 

 tury the whole face of our country, without carting one county 

 into another, would be changed, from roughness and sterile 

 appearance, to verdure and beauty. 



William H. Adams, of Bridgewater, appears to have been 

 the most methodical and correct of the competitors, both in com- 

 posting and in the application of his manure, and he is consid- 

 ered entitled to the first premium, $10. 



To Orsamus Litteljohn, of Middleborough, who exhibits a 

 praiseworthy example of ingenuity, industry, and economy, in 

 this and other branches of husbandry, is awarded the third 

 premium, Colman's Report, or $5, at his option. 



To the Committee on Produce, a claim was presented for the 

 best crop of spring wheat, by Benjamin Hobart. Mr. H. makes 

 various experiments, and seems sanguine in the belief that he 

 shall ultimately prove, to the conviction of our farmers, that 

 wheat can be profitably raised in the county of Plymouth. He 

 has certainly had more than ordinary success with the crop, yet, 

 like other zealous experimenters, he makes some mistakes. 

 According to his statement, it appears he was conscious of error 

 this year, in the use of so large a quantity of seed ; we think 

 he also erred, in the application of manure to the land near the 

 time of sowing. For the small grains, the ground should always 

 be carefully prepared to produce as regular a growth as possible ; 

 fresh manure causes so vigorous a growth, at a certain period in 

 the season, as to endanger the grain in several ways. Mr. H. 

 did not obtain the required quantity, and is not entitled to the 

 premium. It is recommended that a gratuity of eight dollars 

 be given him. 



Five claims were presented for the best crop of Indian corn. 

 The season, with the exception of some annoyance by worms, 

 was unusually favorable for this crop, and more bushels io the 

 acre arc reported this year than has been usual. The greatest 

 number is 107 55-75 bushels, and the smallest, 85 65-75. 



The first premium, $S, is awarded to Daniel Alden, and the 

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