ESSEX SOCIETY. 39 



then removed, and the ground dug over with the hoe. Most of 

 the upper part of this land, including hassocks, bushes, &c., 

 was burnt, for the benefit of the soil. The expense of this 

 clearing and preparation, has been thirty dollars per acre, on 

 the average. On some parts of this land there has been a slight 

 growth of wood. The use of the land for two years, and the 

 wood, has been given for reclaiming the same, which has been 

 a profitable operation to those engaging in it, and at a much 

 less nominal cost for the improvement, to myself. Much of the 

 land has been improved in this manner. 



The potato crops have been raised without gravelling, and 

 usually without any manure, for the first two seasons ; subse- 

 quent seasons, by applying about one and a half cords, to one of 

 manure, per acre, which I deem amply sufficient. The largest 

 crop of potatoes raised, was three hundred and fifty bushels 

 from one acre, — eleven hills yielding a bushel, on the average. 



The corn crops have been raised after gravelling the land. 

 From ten to twelve cords of manure, per acre, have been ap- 

 plied, previous to planting. The cost of gravelling has aver- 

 aged twenty-five dollars per acre. The largest crop of corn 

 raised, was in the year 1846, when one-half an acre, by meas- 

 ure, yielded one hundred and five bushels of superior corn, on 

 the ear. 



The grass crops have been raised on the land after being 

 planted with corn, no dressing being applied for the first two 

 years ; subsequently, the grass has been kept up by merely a 

 top dressing each season. This land is now mostly free from 

 wild grass, and I consider it in as good, or better state for the 

 several crops than when first reclaimed. In 1844, 3,850 pounds 

 of superior English hay were taken from one-half an acre, by 

 measure. The crops of hay, from year to year, have averaged, 

 rising two tons per acre, and of the best quality. When the 

 seasons have proved favorable, the first two years after being 

 laid down to grass, about one ton of second crop has been cut 

 on much of the land, per acre. The crops on the reclaimed 

 land have been much larger, and of as good quality as the same 

 crops on other parts of the farm, although much of the land is 

 in a high state of cultivation. I deem it best to remove the 



