48 STATE BOAKD OF AGEICULTUEE. 



better the feed given to animals the better the manure. We do not Judge of its 

 value by its looks. That made from animals fed on straw and marsh hay 

 (sedges), may be some better rotted and look well, but it is much less desirable 

 tlian that vrhich comes from a livery stable, where the horses have plenty of 

 grain. 



In the fall or Avintcr or spring, Avhenever we have help to best advantage, the 

 whole pile is turned once or more. In spring vre shall probably have 400 loads 

 of fine manure for the horticultural department, — manure suitable for any crop, 

 ilower bed, or lavrn. A\'e like to have a large pile of muck dried and under 

 shelter, to use about the dung heap in winter. Our plan of managing a com- 

 post heap is about the same as employed on the farm proper. On August 30 

 the farm compost heap was 60 by 72 feet and eight feet high, Avell packed down 

 by horses and cart. The two piles for the horticultural department are about 

 as large, though not yet quite so high. 



Thus far in the vegetable garden we have only attempted to raise summer 

 vegetables enough for the farm house and boarding hall. "\Ye have raised too 

 many varieties for profit. Next season we intend to make the experimental 

 plats and all the sample beds in a part of the old vegetable garden east of the 

 greenhouse. Three and a half acres near the houses of the Professors have 

 been set apart, at present, for an enlargement of the garden for vegetables and 

 small fruits. It has been well ditched four feet deep ; some of it graded and all 

 plowed. On this large piece we intend to raise onions, raspberries, strawberries, 

 and some other stuff. This will demand some extra work, but the increased 

 quantity of produce will pay for the extra Avork. 



CULTUEE AInD WEEDS. 



We believe in thorough culture, and act out our belief. The garden is all 

 worked over about once in five days. The soil is light, so rains do not interfere, 

 except for a few hours. Weeds are watched very carefully by passing over the 

 ground after cultivating, raking, or hoeing. We know how long it takes to go 

 over an acre of clean garden, or one where the weeds are only pricking out of 

 the soil. We have not tried the experiment of one patch in weeds hoed once in 

 two or three weeks, and the other of equal size kept clean by Avorking the soil 

 every four or six days, but according to estimate the cheapest way is to cultivate 

 often. It doesn't require one-foitrtli the labor to go over a garden with a steel- 

 toothed rake or hand-weeder often, as above stated, as it does to weed several 

 times during the season after weeds get up six inches or more in height. Aside 

 from the smaller amount and ease of the work, the increased yield, quality, and 

 earliness of the produce are all on the side of thorough culture. It seldom pays 

 to keep a garden hoed only once in three weeks ; it nearly always pays well if 

 thoroughly tilled. The ground is kept perfectly clean after the crop is taken 

 off, so the soil is not getting filled with seeds. It is a veiy common error with 

 farmers or gardeners to leave the garden or field until the weeds make a show, 

 instead of going over the ground often. 



Since preparing the above, several months ago, I find '*a practical hint on 

 weeds" in the Countiy Gentleman, evidently from J. J. Thomas, who is ever 

 making apt contrasts between the best and the poorest way of doing things. By 

 his watch, a bed of flowers containing 80 square feet is raked once a week in 

 four minutes for each raking, and for May, June, and July, 48 minutes. In 

 another bed of equal size it required over an hour to clear all out by hoe and 

 hand. This must be repeated every three weeks for three or four months. 



