DEPARTMENT REPORTS. 127 



The yield was nearly 4,100 pounds per acre, and cost, delivered in the barns, 

 $3.70 per acre or -$1.80 per ton, nearly. 



FIELD No. 4 



was to be divided into small lots for the better accommodation of a few animals 

 near tbe barns. It was divided so as to give six small lots, varying from 1 

 to 4 acres in size. A lane, two rods in width, divides the field and extends 

 to the river. One of the small fields was sown to corn for soiling feed. The 

 cost of the crop has been charged to the cattle barn where the forage has been 

 consumed. The account of the field is as follows : 



Dr. Ck. 



To cost of soiling corn, seed, and labor $23 71 



500 pounds plaster and sowing 2 13 



labor, stumping 12 26 



labor on fence - 50 85 



oats - - - 25 



lumber, @ $13 - 47 41 



75 pounds nails, @ 3 cents . . 2 25 



214 posts, @ 12^^ - 26 75 



By oats - --. $1 05 



permanent improvement 12 2G 



fence, at cost - 127 32 



soiling, at cost to cattle barn - 23 71 



by loss to balance - - 1 27 



IV 



$165 61 $165 61 



The new fence was 102 rods in length, but in the cost of fence are included 

 several extra items. One of them is the moving of 20 rods of portable fence; 

 another is the taking down of nearly 30 rods of old board fence, straightening 

 up the posts, and with now and then a new board, rebuilding it. The cost of 

 the new fence did not exceed 1)5 cents per rod. 



The item of oats in the account is for a bushel of New Zealand oats that were 

 sown late in one part of the plat devoted to soiling corn. There was a yield of 

 three bushels credited at $1.05. The oat plat was dug tlirough the center and 

 oats destroyed by the repair of sewer running from boarding hall for a width of 

 at least 10 feet. The variety will be tried next year, with better opportunities 

 and surroundings. 



The division of No. 4 into small fields as planned has been one of the greatest 

 conveniences of the farm. The lane is extended to the main lane near the barns 

 and new gate put in for convenience in reaching the small fields witlioutjiassing 

 through the yards. 



FIELD NO. 5 



was in pasture the remainder of 1877 and plowed for corn in 1878. In this 

 field was the experimental corn for this year. In the southeast portion of the 

 field, clearing was in progress at the close of the last year. This was carried ou 

 to completion and whatever wood there was, sold to the boarding hall at $2.25 

 per cord to assist in paying for the clearing. The trees were few and scattering. 

 Began plowing for corn April 23d. The land was harrowed thoroughly twice, 



