No. 105.] 311 



30 loads of long barn-yard manure per acre, (| cord per load,) was 

 put on the sod before plowing, and completely turned under, and' 

 was not brought to the surface again that season ; the after cultiva- 

 tion was done with the cultivator. 



A flock of sheep was fed on the ground, in movable racks, during 

 the winter of 1844 — 5. 



The ground was but once plowed in the spring of 1845, and har- 

 rowed ; six bushels of seed oats were sown on the two acres, and 

 well harrowed in with a lap of one-half of the harrow, going over the 

 ground twice, which completed the cultivation. The oats were sown 

 on the 16th of April, and were harvested the — of August. 



An under drain was put the entire length of the field with laterals 

 to tap a few wet spots ; the soil otherwise being dry enough for 

 grain cultivaton. Several years ago some leached ashes and gyp- 

 sum mixed were put upon the previews crop of corn, at the rate of 

 four bushels of the ashes to one of plaster per acre. 



Much of the success of this crop of oats is ascribable to the prepa- 

 ration of the ground during the previous crop of corn, but more per- 

 haps to the peculiarity of the season. The manure on the previous 

 crop added to a previous rich sward, excited and quickened by the 

 ashes and gypsum, and the droppings of the sheep and their refuse 

 food, would have ultimately made the ground too rich, and a too lux- 

 uriant growth would have weakened the straw and given it a tenden- 

 cy to fall prematurely. But the season adapted itself to remedy 

 these evils. And a partial drouth on a soil less retentive and rich, 

 would have had a tendency to check its growth, and lessen its pro- 

 duct. Whereas the effect, in this case, was the reverse ; only check- 

 ing a too luxurious growth, thereby enabling it to stand until the 

 grain was fully matured. Very little rain fell here, from the 3d day 

 of July until the oats were secured ; and the few showers we had 

 during that time fell so gently, and unaccompanied with wind, only 

 assisted the complete development of the kernel. 



The following is a statement of the cost of the production, followed 

 by the receipts of sale, &c., viz : 



Dr. 



To 20 loads of manure, (being one-third of that put on the 



previous crop,) at 3s. per load, $7 50 



To plowing two days at 16s. per day, and harrowing one- 

 half day, 5 00 



To harrowing one-half day, 16s. per day, and sowing one- 

 half day at 6s. per day, 



To six bushels of oats, bought at 2s. per bushel, 



To four days harvesting, raking and binding and setting 

 up, &c., 



To securing in the barn, 



To threshing, cleaning and carrying to market, 



To rent of two acres of land, at $6 per acre, 



Total cost, $38 64 



