120 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



was placed from twenty-two inches to four feet deep, gen- 

 erally from twenty-four inches to twenty-eight inches. 



I have been astonished to see how soon the water begins 

 to flow after a rain. I have seen a five-inch pipe, the outlet 

 of one-third of a mile of drain, flowing at its full capacity, 

 repeatedly, within one hour and a half after the commence- 

 ment of a heavy rain, such outlet being entirely dry previous 

 to such commencement. 



I have had two or three conversations with Dr. Sturte- 

 vant of South Framingham in regard to this point, and he 

 has told me of his lycimeter. He could hardly credit the 

 fact that the water gets down to my drains and runs so 

 freely in so short a time. I only know the fact that it is so. 

 And perhaps another fact may somewhat explain it ; that is, 

 my land is somewhat descending, and the water, during a 

 heavy rain or heavy shower, does not sink into the ground 

 all the way, but tends rather to sink where these drains are. 

 That is the only way I 'can account for it ; but the fact is as 

 I have stated. 



I have always considered the feeding of my cattle and 

 hogs as the most particular part of my business. I feed to 

 cows in milk, fatting cattle, and hogs, all I can get them to 

 eat, being persuaded, that, the more they eat and properly 

 digest, the greater the profit. But they are required to eat 

 all clean before having more. 



As I use a good deal of manure, so, to make it pay, I em- 

 ploy considerable help. I have paid for that hired for the 

 past ten years from about nine hundred dollars to about 

 fourteen hundred dollars annually. 



In hiring I have had a twofold object in view, — to em].loy 

 good help, so as to make a profit on their labor, and to so 

 use them that they would continue to work for me, and have 

 an interest in my success. I have succeeded in both. One, 

 as boy and man, has worked for me some thirteen years, and 

 three others all the time I have had work for them during 

 several years. 



I have generally made no bargain with them, but have 

 paid as m}^ profits seemed to warrant. So far as I know, 

 they have been entirely satisfied. I have paid higher wages, 

 probably, than any other farmer in Bristol County, and have 

 had workmen who have been entirely reliable. 



