138 MIDDLESEX SOCIETY. 



plough it, (the wild grass coming in,) keeping it level; and, 

 since that time, it has produced a very good crop. 



Not being satisfied with this method, I adopted another ; I 

 drained the remainder of my meadow, and took off the bogs. 

 I let it out to Irishmen, at twelve dollars an acre ; burnt it over, 

 and obtained a good crop, for two years, without top dressing. 

 This last I consider the cheapest, easiest, and best method, of 

 reclaiming wet meadow land. 



Lincoln. 



iV. P. Morrisori's Statement. 



In the management of my farm, my object has been to im- 

 prove the land and trees, so as to realize the greatest profit from 

 the least expense. I purchased my farm, in 1842, for $5,000. 

 It consists of between nineteen and twenty acres, eight or nine 

 of which includes the buildings and fruit trees, the remainder, 

 when I purchased it, was a stony, worn-out pasture, which 

 would not produce two hundred pounds of oats to an acre. I 

 commenced ploughing, digging out the stones, and manuring 

 it, till it became productive, and suitable for all kinds of vegeta- 

 bles. I have set on the same, between eighty and ninety apple 

 trees. 



I have, in all, about six hundred fruit trees ; about forty kinds 

 of apples, twenty kinds of pears, forty quince trees, forty cherry 

 trees, a few peach and plum trees. When I purchased, my or- 

 chard was principally grass ground, which I consider to be very 

 injurious to the growth of the trees and fruit. It was impossi- 

 ble to plough near many of the trees, in consequence of low 

 limbs. I commenced pruning about the last of February, I 

 think, 1842, and made a dreadful havoc, both to limbs and 

 trees, as many good and experienced farmers thought, and as- 

 sured me that I was "spoiling my orchard." I commenced 

 grafting, also, during the same spring, and have continued to 

 graft, each succeeding year. I have taken the tops from about 

 sixty trees, many of which were more than a foot in diameter. 

 I gathered from one tree, the third year after grafting, three 

 barrels of Baldwin apples ; fifth year, five barrels. 



