91 



The Messrs. Sias, whose statement is annexed, have demon- 

 strated, bj their own experience in several successive seasons, that 

 more than 100 bushels of corn can be obtained from the acre. 

 This product is not the result of accident, but of carefully con- 

 ducted experiments in testing the capacity of their soil ; and they 

 assure us that they shall not remain satisfied with their experi- 

 ments until they have raised a greater crop than any they have 

 yet obtained. If all our farmers who cultivate grain, would do so 

 with the same carefully conducted experiments, and with the same 

 determination to test to the utmost the capacity of their soils, we 

 should soon have a practical solution of the problem as to whether 

 grain can be profitably raised in this county. 



The many failures which have attended the cultivation of wheat, 

 have led to the supposition that this grain cannot be profitably 

 raised in this part of the State ; yet we have good evidence of the 

 fact, from many who have tried the experiment in different parts 

 of the county, that from twenty to thirty-five bushels have been 

 raised to the acre. These results (equal to, if not exceeding the 

 average crop in the best wheat growing States,) are certainly suf- 

 ficient to induce our farmers to continue their experiments on this 

 most important grain ; and may we not yet hope that some definite 

 results will be obtained, by which we may calculate with as much 

 certainty upon a crop of wheat as of any other grain. 



The statements of the applicants for premium on rye show 

 what may be expected from this grain, when liberally treated. 

 The usual method of cultivating rye (sowing our poorest soils 

 without manure,) would not certainly lead us to expect any very 

 great returns ; but, with liberal treatment, we think as good re- 

 turns may be expected as from any other crop. We believe it to 

 be true economy for every farmer to raise all the grain necessary 

 for consumption upon his own farm. If this course does not bring 

 money into the pocket, it certainly prevents a good deal from go- 

 ing out ; and the farmer will have the satisfaction, at least, of 

 having his bread made from the products of his own farm. 



Many people are becoming convinced that, with proper man- 

 agement, corn and rye can be raised at a profit in Norfolk county, 

 even if all the manure is to be bought and all the labor hired. A 

 gentleman of good judgment and great experience in farming, but 

 who has hitherto been rather skeptical about raising 100 bushels 



