FARMS. 101 



frequently. Usually it is all removed four or five times, instead 

 of once a year, as formerly. 



In the condition of my pastures, I could keep only three or 

 four cows, but by raising green* corn, and feeding, in connec- 

 tion with it, hay and grain, I have kept double the number, 

 and, at the same time, have enlarged my manure heap, and 

 increased the capabilities of the farm. I plant corn for fodder 

 in drills eighteen inches apart, and use less seed in the row 

 than is common with other farmers. I spread all the manure 

 and plant with an Emery's seed-sower. This costs $14, but 

 its cost would be repaid every year, if only used to plant corn 

 fodder ; and besides this, all other small seeds, such as turnip, 

 cabbage and beet, and beans, pease, &c, can be planted with it. 



I have fed mowing grounds in the fall but little, and am 

 abandoning the practice altogether. I mow from sixteen to 

 twenty acres of English grass, and get from twenty-four to 

 thirty tons of hay. I seldom cut less than one ton, and usually 

 not more than two tons per acre. I use top dressing consid- 

 erably ; spread eighty loads on four or five acres of mowing 

 land last fall, but am not fully decided as to its economy. I 

 should be governed by circumstances in the use of it. 



I have sometimes seeded down land witS rye sown in the 

 fall, but usually with oats in the spring. My success has been 

 good in both ways, especially when I have spread fifty or sixty 

 bushels of ashes to the acre, and worked them in with the seed, 

 which is the best way of applying ashes on my land. The 

 grass seed used has generally been one bushel of redtop, ten 

 or fifteen pounds clover, and a peck of herds-grass per acre. 

 But this is too light seeding, and more seed will be used in 

 future. Bushing, rolling, and a clean picking of the stones 

 have always followed seeding, so as to make smooth work for 

 the scythe and horse-rake. A mowing machine could not be 

 used on my fields, until they are larger than they are now. 

 All the hay is usually consumed on the farm ; none has been 

 sold from the farm for ten years past. 



In the winter, I have sometimes sold milk, carrying it six 

 miles two or three times a week. But it is preferable to make 

 butter, when the work can be done in the family, and without 

 extra help. My butter has usually been sold for twenty-five 

 cents per pound. 



