REPORTS ON CROPS. 



277 



lowing spring I sow clover. I have four acres from which I 

 cut a fair crop of rye the past season, that will be good mea- 

 dow next year. I worked it by the above plan at an expense 

 of about 116.50 per acre not including manure. It was ab- 

 solutely valueless to begin with, and the rye paid part of the 

 expense, consequently the investment will be a good one. I 

 have failed to find any market manure that seems to pay on 

 rye. They all seem too quick in their effect. I shall try 

 bone next year at the rate of a ton per acre. 



Oats are generally grown after a crop of corn or potatoes. 

 They are supposed to draw on land more than rye, but that 

 does not deter farmers from sowing them. Average yield 

 about twenty bushels per acre. 



Buckwheat is grown to some extent, but there is a strong 

 prejudice against it, as it is thought to leave, land cold and 

 unproductive. Properly managed however, this crop may be 

 safely and profitably grown. 



I plow but once, commencing in June as opportunity af- 

 fords. Sow from 1st to 15th of July. To insure a crop ap- 

 ply a little phosphate or guano. Next spring will find the 

 turf nicely rotted and in condition for planting corn or 

 potatoes. 



If improving the land is the main object however, let it lie 

 till late in June without pasturing, and repeat the process of 

 turning under what grass has grown. In this way a paying 

 crop may be annually raised and the land enriched by the 

 crop turned in, continually grow better. I sowed clover seed 

 the past season on five acres with buckwheat and shall sow it 

 with buckwheat, turning in tlie clover next season. Average 

 yield about twenty bushels, although I have grown as high as 

 forty bushels per acre. Corn is still grown on most farms but 

 not as eitensively as formerly. I consider it questionable 

 whether we can grow it in Connecticut profitably. Our 

 average yield is about thirty bushels per acre. 



Potatoes are grown with us as a market crop, Early Rose, 

 Garnet Chili, and Peach Blow being the leading varieties. 

 The yield is from one to two hundred bushels per acre. They 

 generally sell for about three quarters as much as corn, and 



