BEGINNING AT HARD-PAN. 115 



I purchased my farm in 1847 for two thousand dollars. 

 The land had been rented, or let on shares, the most of the 

 time for the preceding twenty-five years, and was badly im- 

 poverished. It consisted of about twenty-eight acres, — 

 fourteen acres of tillage and pasture-land (the pasture-land 

 was susceptible of cultivation) : the rest was waste land, of 

 which I have since reclaimed two acres. Thus I have in cul- 

 tivation about sixteen acres. 



The poverty of the soil at the time of purchase was not 

 its only or even its greatest defect. It was divided into 

 eleven fields and enclosures by stone walls. I have since 

 materially reduced the number by the removal of a portion 

 of the walls. Every field contained within its limits at least 

 one low, wet place (and some of them two and even three), 

 which, after great rains, was always flooded. Other parts of 

 the same fields were pinched by even a moderate drought, the 

 subsoil being a loose gravel. Very wet springs, portions of 

 every field could not be ploughed before June. 



I bought such a farm for two reasons : one was, I had no 

 money to pay for a place, and I could get this on credit; 

 and the other was, I knew no better. 



I then had a deed of a farm, but owed every dollar it cost, 

 and possessed neither a farming tool nor an animal ; neither 

 had I money to pay for either. 



I commenced, as you may well believe, in a very small 

 way. I exchanged my labor with my neighbors for team- 

 work both to do my ploughing and other farm-work, and 

 also to cart my hay and other produce to market. I taught 

 a country school in winter, thus turning to account the whole 

 year ; that is, years ago, when I first commenced. 



I soon discovered, what every farmer quickly finds out, 

 that manure is needed. 



Such a thing as buying it never entered the thought of 

 any man in the community in which I was located. As 

 I had no money to purchase with, I studied how to get it. I 

 finally concluded to raise pork. From all I could learn by 

 reading and inquiry, I became satisfied, that in an average 

 of years, with an average of hogs, the pork would pay for 

 the grain consumed, and I should have the manure for my 

 labor and trouble. 



I accordingly tried it, some years making as much as five 



