122 



MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



WASTE LANDS. 



NORFOLK. 



Statement of Joel H. Robinson. 



The piece of pasture-laud that I offer for premium contaius 

 about three acres. I will give you a description of the pasture 

 as it was when I commenced operations. None of it had ever 

 been disturbed by the plough, and it was supposed never could 

 be. It was in a very rough condition. Part of it was covered 

 with maple, alders and small bushes, and stony as the devil's 

 hop-yard. 



The character of the soil is somewhat varied, — part of it 

 high and dry ; the rest moist with a rich black loam. In the 

 fall of 1860 I commenced operations by ploughing about two 

 acres, which were so full of brakes and roots that it tore up in 

 large blankets, making it necessary to use the bog hoe. I then 

 harrowed and burnt all I could. 



For the first crop I planted potatoes, using a small handful 

 of plaster and ashes to every hill. My second crop I planted 

 with the ashes made by burning the bogs and bushes. No 

 manure has ever been applied. The remainder was ploughed 

 in the fall of 1861, and in the spring of 1862 was planted with 

 potatoes, using plaster and ashes, a small handful to each hill. 

 My object was a thorough renovation, whether my crop paid 

 or not. 



My account stands as follows : — 



EXPENSES. 



By ploughing both lots first time, 

 ploughing part twice, 

 harrowing and burning, . 

 bogging and furrowing, . 

 planting, 



plaster and ashes, . 

 seed potatoes, . 

 seed corn, 



cultivation and hoeing, 

 harvesting corn and potatoes, 



Total amount of expenses, 



$112 10 



