82 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



onions measured, after topping, 390 bushels. Value in barn, 

 $1 per bushel. * 



Danvees, Nov. 9, 1874. 



HAMPDEN. 



Statement of William Mattoon. 



Mangolds and Ruta-bagas. — I will give you a statement 

 of the cost of raising the crop of one and one-half acre of 

 mangolds, and also the cost of raising the acre of ruta-baga 

 turnips. 



The land upon which each crop grew was alike, lying side 

 by side. It was, some eight years since, old, worn-out sand- 

 plain, producing not five bushels of corn per acre. In the 

 winter of 1871-72, I hauled from the reservoir lands of turf 

 from a clay soil, and also clay, 52| cords to the acre, at a 

 cost of $87.50 for hauling, spreading, harrowing, rolling, 

 bushing, etc. ; then put on of fine compost made from hog, 

 cattle and horse manure, one part manure to two of turf and 

 chiy, seven cords to the acre. Sowed to barley, clover and 

 orchard-grass ; had a good crop of barley, and the seed came 

 up finely and had a good growth. 



In the winter of 1872-73 the grass and clover were badly 

 winter-killed. The land being very level, the water did not 

 flow oil' freely, and stood in many places until evaporation 

 carried it oft*. In the spring of 1874, I bought, of slaughter 

 manure (fresh), without being composted, twenty cords, and 

 put it upon this land at the rate of six cords to the acre, and 

 ploughed it in 9 inches deep (measuring upon the land side 

 with a rule) ; and after lying some four weeks, harrowed 

 with a Shares' harrow, loading so that it would cut three or 

 four inches. Then hauled and spread from the carts, 2|- 

 cords of fine stable-manure ; harrowed as before. Then put 

 on 100 bushels of a very low grade of ashes, which cost 8 

 cents per bushel ; harrowed them in with a fine harrow, 

 May 20. Ridged with a tobacco-ridger the 1| acre for the 

 mangolds 30 inches apart. Sowed the seed with a drill, 

 using 5 lbs. to the acre, about one-half Long Red, the other 

 Yellow Globe. 



