140 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



Statement of Ansel A. Rankin. 



In making my statement, perhaps it may be well to give the 

 construction of my barn cellar, in which I make my manure. 

 My cellar is sixty feet by forty. My barn points, or is open on 

 the "west side ; my stables for neat cattle are on the east side, 

 and under them, is my hogsty. Into this sty, the excre- 

 ments and urine of the cattle pass. My cattle are stabled 

 every night during the summer, as well as winter. I clear 

 out the whole of the manure in the spring, and then before 

 erecting the pens, I cart in as much loam as is practicable. 

 This is done easily, as the cellar is sufficiently deep to admit 

 of dumping the cart. I then erect the pens and let my swine 

 commence their operations. As fast as occasion requires, I 

 add fresh loam, and spread the excrement from the cattle, if 

 the swine do not root it sufficiently. By this method, I have 

 made, from six swine, one horse, two oxen, and four cows, one 

 hundred and forty cart-loads of first rate manure. I consider 

 the urine of as much value as the solid part of the excrement. 



Pelham, October 26, 1853. 



Statement of Kelita Hubbard. 



I have practised turning in rye as manure, for several years, 

 with good success. I plough my land as soon as convenient 

 after the crop is taken off. The feed in the fall will pay for 

 ploughing and seed. I turn in the crop in the spring, where the 

 Boil is light. I think it is equal to five loads of manure to the 

 acre. It destroys the weeds, pulverizes the land, and thus 

 eaves much labor in the cultivation of the next year. Nearly 

 seed enough scatters, if the crop is dry, when gathered. It 

 can be ploughed when the team has but little to do, and can 

 get their living in the pasture. 



Sdndebland, October 27, 1853. 



