5 The Agricultural Papers of George Washington 



ity and economy are undoubtedly commendable, and all that 

 is required. Happily for this country, these virtues prevail 

 more and more every day among all classes of citizens. I 

 have heard of, and I have seen with pleasure, a remarkable 

 change in the mode of living from what it was a year or two 

 ago ; and nothing but the event, which I dreaded would take 

 place soon, has prevented my following the example. Indeed, 

 necessity, if this had not happened, would have forced me 

 into the measure, as my means are not adequate to the ex 

 pense at which I have lived since my retirement to what is 

 called private life. Sincerely wishing you health and happi 

 ness, I am ever your warm friend and affectionate uncle. 



A VIEW OF THE WORK AT THE SEVERAL PLANTATIONS AT MOUNT 



VERNON, IN THE YEAR 1789, AND GENERAL DIRECTIONS 



FOR THE EXECUTION OF IT 



From the plans of the plantations, from the courses of 

 the crops, which are annexed to these plans, and from the 

 mode of managing them as there prescribed, may be derived a 

 full and comprehensive view of my designs, after the rotation 

 is once perfectly established, in the succession that is pro 

 posed. But as this cannot, at all the plantations, be adopted 

 this year, every thing in the mean time must be made to tend 

 to it, against the next, as far as circumstances will admit. 



Muddy-Hole Farm 



The ploughs belonging to this plantation, together with 

 those from Dogue Run, are to continue, without interruption 

 or delay, when not prevented by frost or rain, to break up 

 field No. 5 for Indian corn. And, when this is accomplished, 

 next to break up No. 4 for buckwheat, which is to be sowed 

 in April, and ploughed in before harvest, as a manure for 

 the crop of wheat, which is to be sown therein in the month 



