14 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



which was in its original state. The former had not a crop on 

 it which would pay for mowing, and the latter produced nothing 

 but weeds and bushes. The Messrs. Meriam are worthy of 

 credit for their courage and perseverance, and have been 

 rewarded with great success. 



Rejoice Newton, Chairman. 



Statement of the Messrs. Meriam. 



Our farm, which we entered for the Society's premium, con- 

 sists of 260 acres, of which about 85 acres are in mowing and 

 tillage, the balance in pasturage and wood. This year we have 

 about 25 acres in corn, wheat, rye, oats, potatoes, carrots, &c.? 

 and 60 in mowing. Our yield of corn will be this year about 

 75 bushels per acre, average for the last five years 60 bushels ; 

 wheat 20 bushels, oats 33, rye 16, potatoes 100, carrots 500 

 bushels per acre. We cut this year, as near as we could esti- 

 mate, about 120 tons of hay, being an average of two tons per 

 acre ; we had many acres that would yield three tons the acre ; 

 and that on improved swamps and interval — having about seven 

 acres of swamp and twenty of interval improved. The interval 

 has been much improved by turning over and seeding down in 

 August or September. We have about forty acres of interval 

 and iii^proved swamp land mostly in one body, to which we 

 have given most of our attention for improvements for the last 

 few years. To our other lands the committee will see that we 

 have paid but very little or no attention, with a view to im- 

 provements, although it is of a kind and quality that would be 

 susceptible of great improvement with but small outlays, but 

 have confined ourselves to about one hundred acres, which we 

 think we are in a fair way to bring into a high state of cultiva- 

 tion with but very trifling outlays, as the most have paid the 

 expense of improvements the first year. Our swamps arc 

 mostly got into mowing by planting with potatoes, and we have 

 obtained good crops, all but one year and that was lost by 

 the rot. 



We find ourselves at a loss to make a correct return of the 

 expense of carrying on our farm, as much time of ourselves and 

 help is occupied in making improvements and work of the farm 



