98 HAMILTON COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 



now breeding Cots wolds. They are a success, and almost indis- 

 pensable as scavengers on the wheat and oat fields, to keep 

 down weeds and grasses that spring up after harvest. I break 

 wheat lands as soon as practicable after stacking and hay-har- 

 vest, and begin sowing first of September. Yield per acre from 

 twelve to thirty bushels, according to quality of land, time of 

 preparation, and kind sown, and varied by the season. 

 Have used since their invention reapers and mowers of many 

 kinds. Am now using the Empire Combined, manufactured by 

 Siberding in Ohio. I use the dropper in wheat and oats, and the 

 mower in grass and clover. For plows of steel, I use the 

 Peoria and John Deere Clipper; of cast iron, the Pittsburgh 

 and chilled plow, by the Gale Manufacturing Company, which 

 I conceive to be the best plow in use for Fall breaking, consider- 

 ing lightness of draught and thorough work. 



I occup3' the farm as a home of comfort and freedom from 

 restraint and town annoyances, preferring an equality 

 in the country to mediocrity in the towns. My orchards 

 are *of select fruit, but quite neglected, although fur- 

 nisliing abundant fruit for myself and neighbors. My 

 hogs are Poland China crossed, with an admixture of 

 the whiter breeds, Chester White being the base ; not raised 

 with profit, however, on account of so-called " hog cholera." 

 My bees are the common American, and only a few hives 

 kept to furnish honey for domestic use ; keep them in the Lang- 

 stroth and common hive. My vineyard is too young to be 

 profitable, being only three years old, but a good, healthy 

 growth of selected varieties. Hope to make wine and fruit 

 enough for my home use. 



The Skillet Fork of the Little Wabash is the only stream of 

 any size near me ; it abounds in the native varieties of fish, 

 which are taken by all the devices known to fishermen. 



Butter and cheese are only of domestic manufacture, there 

 being no creamery in the county, nor -dairy as understood by 

 the public. 



In poultry we have the old Dunghill, Dominick, Buff 

 Cochin, Black * Spanish, etc. ; the ordinary gray and white 



