92 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



leaving the ground, I plough, and sow from six to ten pounds 

 of red clover. 



9. I apply top-dressing in the months of October and Novem- 

 ber, spreading out of the cart. 



10. I apply manure, in all cases composted, to tillage land, if 

 the land is low, putting it on the surface and harrowing it in ; 

 if the land is high, I spread from six to ten cords per acre and 

 plough it in. Tlie compost consists of one part solid manure to 

 two parts soil or muck. 



11. I formerly used special manures, but of late have used 

 them in small quantities, and am fully convinced that it is best 

 for me to have nothing to do with them in future. 



12. I prefer open drains for the main ones, but for the smaller, 

 use tile, having them covered. Last year, I commenced dig- 

 ging drains, from three to five feet deep, on a piece of four or 

 five acres of low boggy meadow, between the high and low 

 land, and, as the subsoil was loose, laid strips of board on the 

 bottom, placing the tile on the board, and covered it with leaves 

 from the forest, before putting in the soil. I should set the cost 

 of the tile drains at twenty cents per rod. 



13. Ten or fifteen years ago, I ploughed from nine to twelve 

 inches deep, but for the last five years, from seven to nine 

 inches, being governed somewhat by the depth of the soil, and 

 the location of the land. I think that seven inches is deep 

 enough to plough low bog-meadow, and nine inches, high sandy 

 land. 



14. I have reclaimed from fifteen to twenty acres of low, 

 swamp and bog-meadow land. On a bog-meadow, my first 

 operation is to drain thoroughly, if possible ; then cut off smooth 

 all the hassocks and brakes and cast them into a heap on the 

 high lands ; then remove three feet of the surface soil seven 

 inches deep, on the side that I wish to commence ploughing ; 

 then carry all the furrows, using the team as I find the land — 

 soft or hard ; after ploughing, I commence with the harrow, 

 gouig each way until the land is made smooth ; then apply the 

 compost, ten cords per acre, when it is spread and worked in, 

 and the land is ready for grass seed. 



15. I have reclaimed from twelve to fifteen acres of rough, 

 rocky hill land, commencing with the axe and brush scythe ; 

 then, after ])urniiig the brush, with the aid of a good plough 



