FARMS. 109 



his practice certainly corresponds with his faith. His farm, 

 from one end to the other, including the road-sides as far as 

 his land extends, is almost entirely free from everything that 

 ought not to grow. The only exception to this, which we 

 noticed, were some rushes and other aquatic plants on a tract 

 of reclaimed swamp, where very large crops of hay have been 

 obtained for several years. The wetness of this season and 

 that of 1862, has probably aided in bringing in this wild vege- 

 tation. But we believe it might be entirely eradicated by more 

 perfect drainage. The drains at present are open, and too 

 shallow. If more were made, which would effectually cut off 

 the soak from tlie surrounding and higher ground, and all were 

 cut to the depth of two-and-half to tliree feet, and covered^ 

 the effect would probably be to render the hay produced on the 

 tract of more value in the aggregate, on account of its improved 

 quality, even though the quantity should not be increased. The 

 covering of the drains would add an amount of productive 

 soil to the lot corresponding to the space now occupied by the 

 open ditches. 



Mr. F.'s buildings are all attached together, and the different 

 departments are generally convenient in reference to their 

 respective purposes. It would be difficult to give such a descrip- 

 tion of them as would be understood, without diagrams. 



Mr. F. takes much pains in regard to the saving of manure. 

 It is kept in the barn-cellar in winter, mixed with loam. The 

 soil of the farm is mostly of rather a light character. Sward- 

 land is ploughed in August, or early in September, to the depth 

 of about six inches. It is not cross-ploughed the following 

 spring, the vise of the Bucklin harrow bringing the inverted 

 furrows into a good condition for Indian corn or potatoes, and 

 at the same time mixing in with the soil such portion of the 

 manure as is spread on the surface. In the fall of the next 

 year, after the crops are off, the land is again ploughed, and in 

 the succeeding spring is generally seeded to grass with barley. 



The committee feel that, while they are not called upon to 

 sanction every particular connected with Mr. Fisher's farm 

 management, it has points of merit which amply justify them 

 in awarding to him, as they do, the first premium offered by 

 the society for the best-cultivated farm. His statement is here- 

 with appended. Sanford Howard, Chairman. 



