No. 63.1 165 



Subsoiling would be generally useful, and a strong, but at the same 

 time a light subsoil plow, that could be worked by the ordinary team 

 of the farm, would be an invaluable acquisition to the farmer. 



In seeding down land clover is used alone where it is intended for 

 pasture, at the rate of 12 to 16 lbs. per acre; when intended for 

 meadow, it is used with timothy seed at the rate of 1 lb. of the latter 

 to 2 lbs. of the former, and from 10 to 16 lbs. sown to the acre. 

 Red-top is sown upon moist land. Orchard grass is coming into use 

 some. 



Fruit is abundant, and most of the orchards grafted to valuable 

 kinds. Very little cider is made, the greater portion of the apples 

 being consumed by the stock, principally swine. 



Of the implements in use there are a variety of kinds. The cast 

 iron plow is universal, but there are several kinds, and each has its 

 friends. I consider them all defective in one particular. They cut 

 too wide a furrow for the depth. 



The average depth c f plowing is about four inches, and the width 

 of furrow slice not far from fourteen inches. I am satisfied that a 

 plow, cutting but an eight inch furrow, would be much the most pro- 

 fitable, because it would enable the farmer to cut a much deeper fur- 

 row with the same team; and deep plowing is of the very first impor- 

 tance for successful tillage. True, it would take more time for the 

 first plowing, but the labor of after cultivation would be much abridged 

 by the soil being so much easier pulverized. The cultivator, double 

 oblong and triangle harrows are in general use. The double oblong 

 harrow is preferred. The roller is used considerably, and its use con- 

 stantly increasing. The revolving horse rake is universal. Drills 

 and sowing machines are coming into use some. Grain is threshed 

 by threshing machines of various patents, which are usually carried 

 about from farm to farm; very few being stationary. Straw cutters 

 are not much used. 



7th. Animals. — There are some imported and thorough bred im- 

 proved Short Horned Durham and Devonshires. The two breeds 

 have each their friends, and grade animals of one or the other breed 

 are found in nearly every town in the county. The merits of the 

 Short Horns are not yet properly appreciated. There is a linger- 

 ing prejudice as to color, which makes against them. But they are 

 gradually becoming more popular. The grade Devonshires make 

 beautiful oxen. The cattle are good through the county. 



The horses are good, but there is no prevailing breed. If there be 

 any fault, it is in their being too light for all the purposes of the 

 farm. 



The swine as a breed are excellent. There is a variety of breeds. 

 The Berkshire, Essex, and the Leicestershire, are found in every de- 

 gree of admixture, from the pure bloods to the remotest cross. The 

 Berkshires are at this time rather the favorite. These are probably, 

 under all circumstances, the most profitable hog the farmer can raise. 



In sheep, we have as great a variety as in swine. There are Me- 

 rinos and Saxons, South Downs, and the long wooled sheep under a 

 variety of names, as Bakewell, Leicester and Cotswold. The small 



