86 



Visit to the Farm of Elias Phinney, Esq. 



Vol. IV. 



swamps and quagmires, and converting them 



into the most productive grass and cornfields. 



3d. In clearing his uplands of rocks and 

 laying them into walls of the most durable 

 and massive description — subduing the bushes 

 in the unproductive pastures, and bringing 

 them into fertile fields. 



4th. In his orchard of apple trees, which 

 for beauty, thrift, and produce, can hardly be 

 excelled. 



5th. In his choice collection of fruits of 

 every desirable variety. 



(itli. In his improved breed of swine. 



7th. His barns and accommodations for 

 cattle, swine, poultry, &c. 



To which may bo added many other im- 

 provements of minor importance, but whicli 

 add to tiie mterest, beauty, and profit of the 

 place. 



PLANTING ON THE GREEN SWARD. 



The idea of planting upon the green sward 

 without disturbing the soil, has been ridiculed 

 by a writer in the N. E. Farmer, vol. 17, page 

 317 — as being impracticable, especially in 

 the potato crop. We saw an example of this 

 operation, and one too of a most perlect kind, 

 which we should suppose sufficient to con- 

 vince the most sceptical. It was in a lot of 

 three acres of potatoes. On the 20tli of June 

 there was a heavy crop of grass upon the 

 ground, in addition to which twenty loads of 

 compost to the acre was spread on, and at 

 tliat time turned over; after ploughing, it 

 was rolled with a heavy roller, (an implement 

 by the way which should be in the possession 

 of every one who calls himself a farmer.) 

 The potatoes were planted in drills — had 

 been hoed but once ; yet hardly a weed was 

 to be seen, not a spear of grass daring to show 

 itself, and sufficient earth, about the plants, 

 with every prospect of an abundant liarvest. 

 In the spring this ground will be in fine order 

 to lay down again to grass, and that too with- 

 out disturbing the sod; or if advisable, plant- 

 ed with corn or any other crop. 



VEGETABLE MATTER. 



Allowing the vegetable matter turned in 

 equal to twenty loads of compost per acre, 

 we have with that spread what is equivalent 

 to tfirty loads per acre. No wonder tiien that 

 by f()l lowing tJiis process continually, he should 

 be able to cut from 2A to 3| tons of hay per 

 acre, wiiich he actually does from his o-ra'^s 

 lands. lie lias anotiier idea wliich we think 

 important for a good crop of grass; tiiat is, to 

 sow an abundance of seed. His ride is twen- 

 ty pounds of clover seed per acre, together 

 with a liberal allowance of herds grass and 

 red top to Ijoot. This will astonish most of 

 our farmers, who can afford only from four to 

 ten pounds per acre. 



We saw a field of six acres of corn, from 

 which a crop of eighty bushels to the acre is 

 estimated, and provided we have warm wea- 

 ther sufficient to ripen any corn, we should 

 judge the estimate not too high ; the cold 

 weather a few days past, is however ag'ainst 

 the corn crop. The variety of corn planted 

 is called the Phinney — a fine long eared, 

 twelve rowed variety, and earlier than the 

 Button Corn, to which it has some resem- 

 blance. In another lot on his peat meadow, 

 we saw a smaller field, on wliich the corn was 

 more luxuriant and promising than on the one 

 just named, and if that produces eiglity bush- 

 els, we should not be surprised if this pro- 

 duced one hundred bushels totlie acre. Think 

 of this you that own unreclaimed peat mea- 

 dows, and are longing for the fertde prairies 

 of the west; before you sacrifice your farms 

 and bid adieu to the institutions and hills 

 of New England, make an effort and bring 

 them into subjection: it will prove an an- 

 tidote to the western fever, or we are much 

 mistaken. 



WHEAT FIELD. 



We noticed a fine field of wheat of eight 

 acres, which the laborers were gathering into 

 the granary. It appeared well filled out ; the 

 produce estimated at twenty busiiels per acre : 

 it was of the variety called the Black Sea, 

 which we find succeeds best in tlie vicinity 

 of Boston and most generally cultivated. — 

 We were informed that about thirty acres 

 were under the plough tlie present season. 

 Besides Indian corn, potatoes and English 

 grain, Mr. Phinney cultivates the root crop 

 extensively. His ruta baga, mangel wurt- 

 zels, sugar beets and carrots looked very pro- 

 mising, and will afford an abundance of food 

 for his numerous family of swine, and other 

 stock. 



DRAINING. 



In draining his low lands, Mr. Phinney 

 first cuts otf all springs from tlie surrounding 

 hills by a deep cut at the margin or outer edge 

 of the piece, which is converted into a blind 

 ditch: from tiiis most important cur, the 

 drains are made to the centre ditch. Where 

 there is an abundance of stones as in this- 

 case, all the drains may be filled and covered 

 over, so that the operations of the plough, 

 &c., may not be hnpeded. We were shown 

 one piece over which it was dangerous for 

 his cattle to pass, and in which tiiey somi>times 

 got mired, before iiecouunenced the draining 

 process; here his first essay on draining had 

 been made, in wliicli, tlirough inex])erience, 

 he only cut the centre and cross drains, but 

 witli all he did, it would produce nothing but 

 skunk's cabbage, hellebore, brakes, &.C., and 

 it seemed that all his labor had been last, un- 



