232 HAMPSHIRE, FRANKLIN, AND 



acres was decidedly the best, from the beginning to the end. 

 The crop remained remarkably vigorous during the whole sea- 

 son, and when cut up, the stalk and husk were as green and 

 fresh as at midsummer ; an indication that the land was in good 

 condition. The corn was very sound ; I think, the best eared 

 I ever raised. I planted three feet one way, and five the other, 

 and yet the crop covered the ground completely, and was very 

 heavily eared, 



I spread a few loads on a poor spot of grass land, with equal 

 results. It produced clover and English grass, where nothing 

 grew before, of any value. 



Hadley, January 8, 1849. 



Nathaniel Eager^s Statement. 



Last year, I submitted a statement in regard to the prepara- 

 tion of manure, for which I received a premium. My object 

 now is, to state some improvements in the preparation, but 

 more particularly, my process in- the application of manure thus 

 prepared. I have made reservoirs near my barn-yard, varying 

 in depth from one and a half to four feet, and covering about 

 one-fourth of an acre. Into these reservoirs, I cart about two 

 hundred loads of muck, and about fifty loads of stable manure, 

 mixing as well as may be, and ploughing through as often as 

 once a week, when it is not too wet. In my barn-yard, I have 

 concluded that it is much better to have less depth of muck 

 than heretofore, on account of convenience. I have now not 

 more than one foot in depth, and through the winter, I form 

 ridges, or swells, all through the yard, to conduct the liquor off 

 to my reservoirs, in order that none of it may be lost. I con- 

 tinue the same course as heretofore, under my barns, and can 

 suggest no improvement there ; in fact, I could hardly hope for 

 any, for the quantity and quality of manure made, are most ex- 

 cellent. 



I have also two tenements on my farm, each having a stable 

 of about eighteen feet square, in each of which are kept a cow 

 and a hog. Into each of these stables, I cart about eight loads 



