FIELD AND GARDEN CROPS. 81 



special fertilizers : in fact, where manure has been applied, 

 there has been no apparent benefit. Some idea of the pro- 

 ductive quality of these lands may be formed, when we con- 

 sider the depth of soil, which ranges from six to ten feet, — 

 a great deposit from the ocean of exceeding value to the 

 farmer. Mr. Ware of Marblehead mentions the fact of 

 seventy-three tons of mangel-wurzel produced to the acre 

 upon sea-manure alone. The mangel has done well on the 

 new soil, likewise strawberries, which seem to thrive near the 

 borders of our marshes. 



A firmer faith in the capacity and value of the soil is the 

 need of the hour, and will give to our youth that character 

 which is sure to come by patience and perseverance. We do 

 not hear the discouraging word uttered, without recalling an 

 interview with an intelligent man from New York, whose 

 grandfather conceived the idea of reclaiming a tract of land 

 larger than Green Harbor marsh ; going to work with cour- 

 age, he cleared off the bushes and trees, opened drains at 

 considerable expense, letting in light, receiving much in 

 return, though not enough to pay the expenses. The prop- 

 erty passed into the hands of a relative, who, with commend- 

 able spirit, prosecuted the work already begun. "Let us 

 have more light," said he. "Does this property pay now?" 

 we asked. "Yes: the net profit is ten thousand dollars 

 every year." We suppose this land to be very fertile, as 

 more than fifty head of cattle are kept on the domain. But 

 the dollars, so very tempting, are not all the benefit derived 

 from improvements. Farming is the study of Nature in all 

 her infinite varieties, from the first box of strawberries to 

 the late harvest ; through the frosts of winter the care of 

 our domestic animals, and the inspiring thouglit of the early 



sprmg. 



Iff. 



G. J. Petekson, Chairman. 



MIDDLESEX SOUTH. 



SQUASHES. 



[Statement of L. and G. "W. Chadwick.] 



The land is one-eighth of an acre. The soil a dark loam ; in 



grass in 1874 and 1875 ; in potatoes, 1876. It was ploughed 

 11 



