No. 199.J 101 



bearing on its bosom the countless blessings of those peaceful and en- 

 nobling pursuits which it is its cherished object to promote. 

 All of which is respectfully submitted. ^ 



PETER B. MEAD, 

 Superintendent of the Horticultural Department. 

 J\rew-Yorkj December, 1849. 



REPORT ON MR. S. B. TOWNSEND'S FIELD OP CORN. 



The committee appointed to examine the field of com of Mr. S. 

 B. Townsend, of Astoria, L. I., submit the following report : 



On arriving at Astoria, the committee, after the usual ceremonies of 

 an introduction, proceeded at once to the discharge of their duty. 

 It would require mifth time and space to recount all of interest which 

 came under their observation ; they will therefore confine their report 

 mostly to the field of corn which they were appointed especially to 

 examine. Mr. Townsend informed the committee that he had 16 acres 

 in corn, divided into two fields, one containing 11, the other 5 acres j 

 but as they were alike in all respects, they will for the sake of con- 

 venience, be denominated oee. The committee devoted their atten- 

 tion, in the first place, to the variety, size, and quahty of the corn. 

 It is the ten-rowed flint variety, from seed grown by Mr. T., for 4 or 

 5 years past, and selected with great care, which is more necessary 

 than is generally supposed, to prevent it from deteriorating. When 

 in the midst of the field, the committee seemed as if in a forest con- 

 siderably past its infancy, and had to bring their \ision to a very acute 

 angle with the zenith in order to see the "top gallants" ^vaving above 

 their heads. On measuring some of the tallest stalks, they were 

 found to be about 13 feet in height, and none seemed less than 7. 

 Some of the ears were found to be 14 inches in length. The grains 

 were large, well filled, and compactly set. In some cases there were 

 4 and 5 stalks in a hill, but mostly 2 and 3. These in a great mea- 

 sure, had each two large and well formed ears ; some had three 

 equally large • and in a few instances, as many as four. The com- 

 mittee obserTed very few indications of gmut. Altogether, it is a su- 



