No. 63.J 323 



and to so great extent have disappeared. This field had been in grass 

 some five years, which though quite too long, was insufficient on this 

 soil, otherwise properly managed, to have produced the last mention- 

 ed result. The kind of oats sowed was that variety called here the 

 Potatoe Oat, and the quantity sowed to the acre four bushels. The 

 sowing was done on the 30th of 4th month, (April,) and immediately 

 afterward plaster was applied at the rate of 100 lbs. to the acre. The 

 yield of grain was quite moderate, about 33^ bushels per acre; the whole 

 value of the crop, straw included, amounting per acre to some $13 . 70. 

 The whole expenses of the crop were somewhat less per acre than 

 in either of the preceding fields; being only some $11,27, but this 

 difference resulted from the smaller growth of straw, which consi- 

 derably reduced the expense of harvesting. This leaves a profit of 

 barely $2.42 per acre, or about one-fifth as much as that pro- 

 duced by No. 3, of lot B. As this statement of the profit does not 

 agree with the above table, it should be remarked here, that the ad- 

 ditional profit therein accredited to the field, resulted from the pro- 

 duct of apple and other fruit trees, which the field contained. This 

 last estimate is therefore correct, so far as relates merely to the crop 

 of oats. 



A difference so striking in the comparative profits on tw^o fields of 

 the same crop — the same season — and on the same kind of soil, must 

 have been produced by causes equally conspicuous and decisive in 

 their character; and which may fairly be presumed to involve some ge- 

 neral principles of practical importance. For this reason I feel disposed 

 to offer some further remarks in exposition of the circumstances connect- 

 ed with the cultivation of this crop. As has been already remarked, 

 the soil was strong and naturally productive, and the sowing was 

 done in proper season; also the ground was in good condition when 

 worked; the plowing, and indeed the whole process of getting in the 

 crop, was done up in as correct and thorough a manner as that of any 

 other field on my farm. It may therefore, very pertinently be asked, 

 why I have not realized a larger yield. I can assign two reasons and 

 two only. But with me, these are sufficient. 



Firstly: — The sod was of such a kind, as will not the most speedily 

 enter into a state of fermentation. The mode of tillage, and the 

 season, were especially favorable to the desired result — but such a re- 

 sult did not ensue. Had the sod been composed in whole, or in part 

 of clover, or had the grass roots which did compose it been young 

 and vigorous, and full of sap, instead of being old, dried up and de- 

 caying, a very different result might have been expected. As it was, 

 decomposition had but just commenced, when the crop was taken off. 

 In my opinion, this circumstance alone, was sufficient to account for 

 a loss of at least one-third the amount of the crop, which might oth- 

 erwise have been realized. This principle is one, which by farmers 

 generally, is either overlooked or sadly disregarded; although it may 

 as I conceive, be doubted whether any one principle in the science of 

 agriculture of equal importance is more readily apprehended, or bet- 

 ter established than this. He who, to save the expense of re-seeding 

 his land, suffers his meadovrs to remain in grass much after the sward 



