OXFORD SOCIETY. 91 



examine that miul-holc wliieli is now so disagreeable to llic 

 siglib. as well a^j prolitless, and see if it cannot bo drained at a 

 triflinji' expense, and rendered productive. No matcev Vi tlic 

 bov? do scold, let tlieni fag- at ir until it is completely draii)cd. 

 Most persons are deceived in regard to the ease and capability 

 of cultivating our swamps. If tlicy can be drained, tliey can be 

 cultiAated. 



The thij'd class is a sandy soil. This is frequently found on 

 the high intervale of the rivers and on the extensive pine plains 

 in different parts of the county. It is nsually regarded much 

 inferior to the other classes mentioned, but there is no doubt 

 that such land may be much improved. It should be cultivated 

 early and for early crops. Manure should be well composted 

 and rotted for this purpose. By a frequent rotation of crops, 

 a change of fields into pastures, and pastures into fields, a stir- 

 ing, active, and sharp-sighted man will often be found thriving 

 on this kind of land. One advantage may be noticed. Such 

 land is almost always situated near a muck swamp, and on no 

 soil is muck of greater value than on this. The nicest quality 

 of potatoes which I ever saw in Maine, was raised on an almost 

 literally barren sand-hill, where muck directly from the swamp 

 had been hauled on the previous autumn. 



The fourth class is the upland, rocky soil, which is the most 

 common in this county. The soil on Paris and Bethel Hill may 

 be regarded as a type of this class. The elements of a good 

 soil are abundant, but are coarse, and only in a partially suita- 

 ble condition for the growth of plants. So far as the mineral 

 elements are concerned, they are essentially the same as on the 

 intervales, but the particles are not divided and sub-divided by 

 water and frost, and other agencies as on these. The scientific 

 farmer may draw a valuable hint from this point, on the import- 

 ance of thoroughly and deeply pulverizing all the upland soils 

 for the cultivation of our staple crops. Here are raised your 

 fine crops of wheat, corn and fruit. Here you may plow in all 

 the manure, and of every kind, which you can find. In some 

 parts of this county the soil is three or four feet deep, and would 

 bear stirring up to that depth, while in other places it is unfit 

 for the plow, and must be forever devoted to wool and pasturage. 



Manure. No subject pertaining to the farmer's calling is of 



