158 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



extending from the main road to the Connecticut River. It is 

 free from waste land, and like most land near the river, is suit- 

 able for grass or any kind of grain. About four acres of this 

 has been in grass the last six years. I mow ene crop, and 

 usually plaster the latter part of the season. I apply a coat of 

 compost manure once in two years, and cut about two tons of 

 hay per acre. The remaining twelve acres I cultivate with 

 various grain and root crops, and stock down with grass once in 

 two or three years. 



No. 2 contains six and one-half acres, and like the first, is 

 suitable for any ordinary crops. It is about one-third of a mile 

 from the buildings. 



No. 3 is also one-third of a mile distant, and contains two 

 acres. About one-fourth of this has ever been a waste, being 

 mostly covered with water, and inhabited by frogs, bull-heads 

 and muskrats. By draining, I have partially removed the 

 water, and hope, by patience and perseverance, to accomplish its 

 thorough reclamation. 



No. 4 contauis twenty-five acres, and is nearly one and a half 

 miles from home. From six to eight acres of this, if not 

 worthless, is very nearly useless, producing bog-grass, brakes 

 and hard-hacks. This I hope also to reclaim by draining, bog- 

 ging and filling. The work on one-half acre has been accom- 

 plished by filling to the top of the bogs, at an expense of 830 

 per acre, and I have no hesitation in pronouncing this half acre 

 equal to my best mowing land. The remaining portion, I think, 

 can be brought into use with much less expense. A portion of 

 it has been bogged and ploughed, and is nearly ready for grass 

 seed. About four acres of this lot had formerly been manured, 

 and at that time, yielded two good crops of hay, yearly. The 

 ground, generally, is better adapted to grass than grain, and is 

 nearly all capable of being made good mowing land. 



The stock of the farm consists of two horses, two bulls, nine 

 cows, two yearling heifers, four calves and two swine. Five of 

 the cows are thorough bred Durhams, and are kept for the two- 

 fold purpose of furnishing milk, and breeding stock to raise. 

 Three are grade Durhams, and, as I think, another has no Dur- 

 ham blood, I intend to dispose of her. I prefer pure Durham 

 cows, for I find them quite as good for the dairy, and much 



