816 THE FARMER'S AND 



These assertions are fully corroborated by the experi. 

 ence of an enterprising American farmer, Mr. Joseph 

 Swift, of Erie county, Ohio, who has been engaged in the 

 culture of madder for five years past. A detailed account 

 of Mr. Swft's mode of culture and its results, was obtained 

 at his residence last winter, by the writer of this essay, and 

 published in the New Genesee Farmer for March, 1843. 



From this account it will be seen, that after having in- 

 formed himself on the subject, and becoming satisfied that 

 the business was practicable and profitable, he at once 

 planted nine acres. This he allowed to grow four seasons, 

 and the crop was harvested and sold in the fall of 1842. 

 The following are some of the results of his experience. 

 The product of his best land was at the rate of 2,000lbs. 

 per acre, and he is certain that, with his present knowledge, 

 he can obtain 3,000 Ibs. per acre which is more than 

 the best average crops of Holland or Germany. The 

 quality was superior to the average of imported madder. 



The labor required, including the whole time, with the 

 digging, cleaning, threshing, etc. was from eighty to one 

 hundred days' work per acre. The outlay for buildings, 

 fixtures, etc. did not exceed, in all, fifty dollars. 



The value of the crop was at the rate of fifteen cents 

 per pound, at which price he sold most of it notwithstand- 

 ing the circumstances of its being unknown to purchasers, 

 and all the prejudice that usually exists in such cases. 



The result, then, in figures, fairly stated, stands thus, 

 for an acre of good land properly managed : 



By 2,000 Ibs. of madder, at 15 cents per Ib $300 00 



Contra To 100 days' work, mostly boys, at 75 cts. per 



day $75 00 



Use of land, 4 years, at $4 per year 16 00 



Grinding, packing, etc 9 00 



100 00 



Leaving a nett profit per acre, of. $200 00 



