140 MIDDLESEX SOCIETY. 



realized from nineteen and a half acres of land, and within the 

 time specified above. 



The amount paid out for labor and manure, on the whole 

 farm, will not exceed $200 per year, for the last three years. 

 In 1847, the amount sold was $1,750. In 1848, about 1 1,200. 

 In 1849, it will probably be from $1,000 to $1,200. I con- 

 sider this year to be the most unprofitable one, for marketing, 

 that we have had for twenty years ; many of my crops have 

 entirely failed, such as early pears, quinces, cabbages, (fcc. 



SOMERVILLE, AugUSt 27. 



Robert Chaffiii's Statement. 



My farm contains about one hundred acres, twenty-five of 

 which are unimproved. The soil is loamy, and very full of 

 stone. It is completely fenced with stone wall, a large share 

 of which I have built, besides removing more than five thou- 

 sand loads of stone into Fort Pond, and elsewhere, out of the 

 way. (My farm is bounded on Fort Pond, over half a mile.) 

 I have reclaimed about five acres of entirely worthless land, 

 which now produces from two to three tons of good hay to the 

 acre. I used no gravel for this purpose, not having any on my 

 premises ; but after sowing my grass seed, I pressed it down 

 with a heavy roller, drawn by hand, in the spring and fall. It 

 soon became swarded, so that I could cart my hay upon it, as 

 well as upon upland. I have mown some of this land upwards 

 of twenty-five years ; every second or third year, it should be 

 top dressed, and well harrowed with a sharp harrow, and rolled. 

 My farm abounds with granite, of a fine quality, of which I 

 make posts for gates, &c., which I find much cheaper than 

 wood. I raise wheat, rye, oats, barley, and Indian corn, suf- 

 ficient for the use of my family, with the addition of about two 

 barrels of flour per year. I estimate my annual produce of po- 

 tatoes at one hundred and fifty bushels ; English turnips at 

 three hundred bushels. I keep ten cows, two oxen, a horse, 

 and some young cattle. I cut no poor hay, but have fodder 

 enough to keep my stock, summer and winter. I sell no hay, 



