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The compost lot resulted about the same both years. The results of the two years-1860 and 1861-will be found as follows:

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From the foregoing statements, the Dry and Leached Ashes. and Cow Manure show the best results as fertilizers; and, as stated last year, had the months of April and May given their usual quantity of rain, instead of being very dry, the ashes, particularly, would have added very much to the crops;—but vegetation was generally checked, and the ashes did not act so powerfully as they otherwise would.

The Peruvian Guano is a great stimulant, and can be used for some purposes to great advantage; but as a durable or permanent top-dressing for grass-excepting for one crop-I should doubt its efficacy. As a proof, witness the first cutting last season, which was 1600 lbs., and the first cutting of this season, only 730 lbs. ; and the second only 140 lbs. In fact, the appearance of the sward at this moment, dressed by the guano-and the other lots by ashes and green cow manure-is most striking that by the guano is almost entirely dry and seared, while the others are clothed with almost luxuriant verdure.

Having turned my attention very particularly to top-dressing of my grass lands, for several years past, I may be permitted to speak very confidently of the great advantages to be derived from practising it; and perhaps have realized as much benefit as any one from pursuing it.

The deep interest I have felt in the subject, must be my excuse for such a lengthy communication.

OAK HILL, South Danvers, Oct. 29, 1861.

ROOT CROPS.

Forty years ago, double the claims for the culture of Roots were presented, to what, by dint of application, we have been able to obtain. When the Littles of Newbury, the Putnams of Danvers, and the cultivators of the fine lands of West Newbury, were in the field, claims were presented worthy of notice.

Such statements as have come to our possession, are appended to this report. They fully explain the culture sought to be rewarded. The Committee are fully aware that large crops may be grown by extravagant applications of fertilizers and labor. This is not the kind of culture which they deem most worthy of encouragement. Crops grown in the ordinary mode of farm labor, which will pay for what is done to them, are what we would reward.

We are well assured that there are some crops grown in the State (tobacco, for instance,) which pay better than any grown. by the farmers of Essex. But we think no friend of humanity, when he considers the evils consequent upon the use of this filthy weed, will deem it worthy of encouragement. It is antagonistic to decency, comfort, health, and even life itself. It is evil, and only evil, continually.

The first claim presented to our notice was by Hiram A.

Stiles of Middleton, for the best conducted experiment in raising Summer English Turnips for the market. This is so well explained by Mr. Stiles, that we deem it unnecessary to say more than that it is worthy of the best reward in our power to make, viz the sum of $8 00.

The next was the culture of Cabbages. Two claims for this came to our hands-one by Samuel A. Merrill of Salem, the other by Samuel Hutchinson of South Danvers. Both of these gentlemen raised magnificent crops; and we would gladly have rewarded both, if we had been at liberty to do so. But, judging of the crops as we saw them in the field, and taking into view the condition of the land, and the applications made thereto, we prefer the crop of Mr. Hutchinson, and award to him the sum of $8 00.

There is no man, within our knowledge, that understands how to obtain a large crop, better than Mr. Merrill; but for our own use, we prefer a moderate size head of cabbage, weighing half a dozen pounds, to one that weighs fifty pounds.

Two claims for Onions were presented to us-one by Mr. Merrill, before mentioned; the other by Mr. Courtis of Marblehead. Mr. Merrill grew, on one acre, five hundred and fifty bushels. Mr. Courtis grew over nine hundred bushels. Knowing no difference between the quality of Marblehead onions and Salem onions, we feel constrained to give the preference to Mr. Courtis' crop, because it measured more; and award, accordingly, to him the sum of $8 00.

We believe both of these gentlemen did all they could, by the application of labor and fertilizers, to enlarge their crops; and we congratulate them on their success-especially as the maggot still continues its operations on the fields of Danvers, and other towns around. Time was, when the onion crop brought to the pockets of the cultivator more money than any other crop grown on our soil; but the destroyer came and the

onion died.

For the other crops enumerated in the list of premiums offered, we have received no claim conforming to the regula

tions prescribed by statute; though we must say, that some of these requirements are extremely burdensome and inconvenient. We know of many good cultivators who have been deterred from presenting their claims, by the complicated machinery to be wrought to secure an award.

Respectfully submitted by

J. W. PROCTOR,

A. M. BODWELL,
HANSON ORDWAY,

Salem, Nov. 14,

1861.

COMMITTEE.

NOTE.-Mr. JONAS HOLT, of Andover, was associated with the Committee in making the awards upon the crops of Cabbages and Onions.

STATEMENT OF H. A. STILES.

Having presented to your notice, for inspection and premium, my crop of Summer English Turnips, raised for the market, I submit the following statement :

Some of the earliest and best varieties of turnips, for market and table use, with which I am acquainted, are the following: The Flat Dutch is a good sort for early sowing. It grows to medium size, and when of quick growth, the quality is decidedly good. The Strap Leaved varieties are of two kindsthe White and the Red top. I am informed by Messrs. Comstock, Ferre & Co., (extensive seed growers in Wethersfield, Ct.,) that they have been cultivated at their gardens for about twenty years. These are taking the place of other varieties, and are the best of the table sorts. Their growth is quick in a congenial soil-small top, and tap root-fine grained and of delicious flavor.

The Purple top, English Norfolk and White Globe are better for the main crop, or field culture for stock feeding. The best

for this use, I think, is the Globe Turnip, which I have grown to the size of a half-peck measure, without being wormy or spongy. It is a white, smooth turnip; a quick, strong and uniform grower, and of good quality. They are sown broadcast in fourteen inch drills, or furrows made with the plough, where manure is spread, and the seed scattered upon it by the hand. Another mode is, putting the seed into the hills with corn or potatoes.

The turnip is easily affected in form and flavor, by soil climate, and mode of culture. Sowed in spring, with corn, the turnip, when matured, resembled the Ruta-Baga. Sowed by a machine upon the surface where manure was spread, and raked fine, the same variety of turnip was nearly flat, of handsome form. The reason of the former shape, was, the roots spread through the manure, and even went below the manure for moisture, while the leaves expanded into the atmosphere and sun for nourishment. Generally if the season be dry, the tops are small, and the form of turnip more flat than in a wet season. Broadcast sowing in spring is attended with difficulties which render it impracticable:

1st, Because room may not be given for each plant to thrive. 2d, Weeds are apt to spring up, overpowering the crop. 3d, The ground may be heavy, baked or scorched; and for these evils, the remedy, which cannot be applied, is, thinning the plants, weeding and stirring the soil.

In raising the fall crop, some of the evils alluded to are, of course, less frequent; but by far the largest crop may be realized by drill culture. The rows may be as near as eight inches in width; the seed sown with a machine; the plants thinned, leaving them from six to ten inches apart. By this method, every portion of the crop may be made to thrive equally well, by the aid of fertilizers if desired.

Putting seed upon manure in furrows made with plough, or otherwise, is attended with bad results, because, although producing well for a time, in pulling from the drills, other plants are disturbed-the strength of manure exhausted-and the

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