FALL CROPS. 



The committee on fall crops desire to give a few suggestions in regard 

 to them. 



As to the corn crop in Southern Berkshire this season, it stands fully 

 equal to any previous year, as to its sound qualities, and its full average 

 yield. Of the seventy-six enteries of corn, with a very few exceptions, all 

 were good. We find a portion of the farmers get tot> many hills to the 

 rod, — they vary from twenty-five to forty-five hills. We found upon care- 

 ful examination that from thirty to thirty-two hills to the rod was prefer- 

 able to a larger or smaller number. We arc of the opinion that Dutton 

 corn is preferable to most localities, from the fact that the yield is greater 

 and the quality fully equal. Dr. Miller of Sheffield had a fine ripe field of 

 corn ot some five or six acres, and as he had but twenty-five hills to the 

 rod, lie fell short in weight. The Doctor has promised to give a state- 

 ment of the manner of selecting the seed, cultivation, &C, which we hope 

 he will present to the society. 



The potato crop is a litte improvement on last year, but not a heavy crop • 

 the early freezinghas reduced it somewhat. 



Mr. Goodale of Mt. Washington, has raised this present season some 

 fifteen acres of fine potatoes. A portion of them yielded very heavy; for 

 instance, the Early Rose potato, from fourteen pounds of seed produced 

 two thousand six hundred and seventy-six pounds, weighing two hundred 

 and sixteen pounds to the rod. Your committee dug six hills which weighed 

 six pounds to the hill. He informed us that the portion where we dug was 

 planted simply with one sprout to the hill. If the Early Rose proves to 

 be a good table potato, it will stand at the head of the class. We have 

 endeavored to ascertain the better kinds of potatoes for raising,. For early 

 potatoes we would recommend the Rose and Goodrich. For late potatoes 

 we would suggest the Harrison, the Gleason and the Buckley Seedling. 



Buckwheat for some cause is not more than half a crop. We found the 

 later sowed was the better filled. 



Carrots have been a fair average yield, but Beets, Turnips and Cabbages, 

 are nearly a failure from the fact that worms, blast and the like was a se- 

 rious injury to them. 



The crops of Beans, light, and many of them nearly spoiled by the fall 

 rains. And here we would remark that there is great want of more 

 thorough cultivation of crops. It actually occurred that in viewing some 

 potatoes, beans and other small crops, we had to push the grass and weeds 

 aside in order to satisfy ourselves what crop was growing beneath them. 

 It is very important that there should be thorough cultivation of crops in 

 order that the farmer may realize any profits from his labor. There are 

 exceptions to the above. 



Dr. Dunning of Lenox had some six or seven acres of roots and potatoes 

 which were cultivated in a more thorough manner. In the whole field, 

 one could hardly find a handful of weeds, and his crops were fine. Many 

 other farmers are equally thorough and successful, and that we consider 

 the true way of farming. 



