126 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



the under-draining which was mentioned, costing some four 

 hundred dollars, built a cold grapery at an outlay of about 

 two hundred and fifty dollars, set out and brought into a 

 good state of productiveness two acres of asparagus, made 

 some other improvements and repairs, and laid aside (with 

 the exception of the present year, which is yet incomplete) 

 a yearly average of fifteen hundred dollars. It is unneces- 

 sary to say, that, with my treatment, my farm is worth more 

 now than I paid for it. 



I will say, in conclusion, that I love my business ; and if 

 all the occupations known to man were presented for my 

 choice, and could I perform equally well the duties of each, 

 I would unhesitatingly select that of farming. 



The Chaikman. Gentlemen, the subject is open, and we 

 shall be glad to hear any who desire to speak upon it. 



Moses Humphrey (of Concord, N.H.). I did not come 

 here to occupy any time, but to hear what you had to say. 

 This was my native town ; and, though I left it thirty-five 

 years ago for New Hampshire, I still have a love for the 

 old place, and it is very gratifying to meet the friends of 

 agriculture here. I left the farming of the town in a very 

 low state, and I am glad to see and know of the improve- 

 ments that have been going on here. 



I was very much pleased to hear the experience of the 

 gentleman who has addressed us this morning; but I suppose 

 you all understand that you are very favorably situated in 

 regard to market-gardening, and that we in New Hampshire, 

 living back in the country, have not the same advantages 

 that you have : therefore we are obliged to come down to 

 the staple crops. The question with us in New Hampsliire 

 is, What can we most profitably raise ? 



At the meetings in different parts of our State we have to 

 come down to the raising of corn, grass, and cattle, the making 

 of cheese, and so on. Generally our meetings are very prac- 

 tical. We do not have many scientific people among us ; and, 

 when we do have them, we generally have to come to Mas- 

 sachusetts to get them. We are always glad to get them, 

 and we get a great deal of valuable information from them. 



Now, as this meeting is an inquiry meeting, perhaps 3'"0U 

 will allow me to speak upon the subject of corn. I am 



