THE NEW AGKICULTUEE. 183 



The following communications addressed respectively to us and 

 to the Editor of The Farm Journal, of Philadelphia, by a farmer 

 who has adopted our system, is evidence of the fact that one hun- 

 dred dollars per acre will cover the cost of fitting lands under " The 

 New Agriculture," for horticultural purposes. 



MAINSBUEG, PA., Sept. 21, 1885. 

 Hon. A. N. Cole, 



DEAR SIR : I find in the Farm Journal for September, edited by 

 Mr. W. Atkinson, of Philadelphia, the following mention : 



" Mr. Cole's new agriculture is not likely to be extensively imi- 

 tated. It cost him $500 an acre to make the stone ditches, and 

 yet, he has it patented." 



I am satisfied this criticism by Mr. A. is to be ascribed to his 

 want of knowledge upon the subject. If he can be undeceived, and 

 enlisted in favor of your system, he would prove a powerful ally. 

 I enclose a letter which I have written him, and if you approve it, 

 I will request its publication. 



I finished my little model farm a week ago, and have set a few 

 rows of strawberries, which are looking finely. It has been fitted 

 to the letter in obedience to your directions first, well rotted ma- 

 nure plowed in ; next well rotted manure and leached ashes drag- 

 ged in; then two inches thick of fine washings from barnyard, 

 where it had lodged on upper portion of the garden. The mulch- 

 ing with leaves will be attended to at proper time, and any other 

 suggestions you may make will be gladly adopted. 



Leading from the barn which is eighty feet long is an under- 

 drain which carries off quite an amount of water during rains. 

 The surface water from the side hill, and water from the eave- 

 troughs, together with that from the drain under the wall of the barn, 

 is gathered in to prevent washing through the barnyard. This addi- 

 tional supply is connected through an underdrain into the trenches. 



