FARMS. 105 



A portion of the committee visited the farm of Ellis Tucker, 

 of Canton, on the 2d of July. They were unfortunately pre- 

 Tcnted by rain from making as extensive examinations in the 

 neighborhood as they had intended. Mr. Tucker's farm was 

 occupied by his ancestors for several generations. Since it came 

 into his possession he has repaired some of the buildings, made 

 important additions, and erected a convenient stable and car- 

 riage-house. The farm is situated on the eastern shore of Mas- 

 sapoag Pond, a portion of it sloping very handsomely to that 

 fine body of water. Most of it is naturally very good for grass, 

 though a considerable part would be benefited by drainage. 

 Some small streams, rising from springs on the land, might, if 

 drains were first properly laid, be readily made to irrigate 

 several acres. Some of Mr. Tucker's land has been in pasture 

 a long time — probably ever since the original forest was cut off, 

 two hundred years ago. The best of it still produces very good 

 feed, but not as much or of as good a quality as formerly. 

 Among the various means which have been resorted to for the 

 improvement of pastures, wood ashes have been found to pro- 

 duce the best results. The effect of fifty bushels to the acre, 

 unleached, is to produce the most luxuriant and nutritious feed 

 for many years. We are not aware that any experiments have 

 been made by Mr. Tucker in reference to the comparative effects 

 of leached and unleached ashes. 



Mr. Tucker cuts heavy crops of hay, which are kept up 

 mainly by top-dressing — a system which he prefers to ploughing 

 the land much, especially as it is generally rather stony and 

 hard to cultivate. 



We had scarcely time to go over the main portion of Mr. 

 Tucker's farm and a part of his brother's adjoining, when rain 

 put a stop to our pleasant walk. We may say, in passing, that 

 the Messrs. Tucker take especial pains in the selection of their 

 stock, both cattle and horses, and on few farms have we seen 



being quite green, as the variety was late. It remained on the field in shock 

 till about the middle of November, when it was housed. Mr. Newhall states 

 that he has fed the fodder to a cow and to his horses, which eat it with evident 

 relish, and without the least waste, although the stalks were not cut. He is so 

 well convinced of the value of the fodder of sweet corn that he intends to raise 

 enough in future to feed his horses through the winter. 



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