FARMS. 131 



broad-cast, on my ploughed fields, and turn it in, about twenty 

 loads to the acre. 



10. " Do you use guano, or other special manures, and with 

 what results ? the same of lime and plaster ? " 



A. I have used guano with variable success. Lime and plas- 

 ter I have never applied to my lands.* 



11. " What course do you pursue in draining, open or under- 

 drains, and how made ? " 



A. I have drained all my wet soil with the common open 

 ditches, taking care to keep all obstacles removed, so that the 

 water may always have a free passage. 



13. " What depth do you commonly plough ? Do you use the 

 subsoil plough ? " 



A. I plough my land eight or nine inches deep, and have 

 never yet subsoiled. 



14. " Have you reclaimed bog meadow, and how ? " 



A. I had a piece of hard" swale land, containing one and a 

 half acres, which, in May, 1849, I inclosed with a suitable 

 fence, and put upon it twenty swine, which I bought from a drove, 

 thinking that they, with the implements nature had furnished 

 them, might pulverize a soil too wet to be cultivated by the usual 

 process. This they did with strict fidelity. The hogs remained 

 upon the land seventy days, when their work was finished and 

 they were removed. The land was harrowed, and stones enough 

 removed to build sixteen rods of wall. It was then drained 

 and sowed with redtop and Timothy, and in the spring with 

 clover. Ever since, there has been a large harvest of hay real- 

 ized from that ground. 



The first cost of the swine was .... $7Q 00 



While on the land they were fed with one bushel of 



dry corn, per day, 42 00 



The expense of supporting them afterwards until dis- 

 posed of, was . . . . . . . 25 88 



Making the whole expense, ..... $143 88 

 They were sold for 1152.62, leaving a net gain of 18.79. 



15. " How much live stock do you keep, and what breeds ? " 



* The best way to use guano is to apply it to corn at tlie weeding season, 

 about one liundred and fifty pounds to the acre. I intend, invariably, to use it 

 in future, even though it cost five cents per pound. 



