32 ESSEX SOCIETY. 



dollar a bushel. One quarter part of the lot was planted with 

 seed that I purchased, that came up badly, and yielded but lit- 

 tle. At the second time weeding, I sowed grass-seed on the 

 land, which took well, and has continued since to yield at least 

 two tons to the acre. 



In 1845, I took a piece of elevated ground, three quarters of 

 an acre, rocky, hard land, strong, black soil, rather moist, and 

 not forward ; had been planted two years with corn, ordinary 

 manuring, and yielded about forty bushels to the acre. I split 

 the hills and ploughed, as early as the ground would admit of 

 its being done ; spread on seven cords of manure, and ploughed 

 it in ; then harrowed the land thoroughly ; spread on two leaches 

 of ashes : these not fully covering the land, I applied about 

 thirty bushels of dry ashes ; then passed over the land with a 

 cultivator, harrowed, bushed, and raked it, sparing no pains 

 to place it in a good condition. Sowed about three pounds of 

 seed to the acre. Weeded as heretofore. About one eighth part 

 of the lot was cut off by the grab-worm — a very vexatious vis- 

 itor, and one that demands close squeezing. I gathered and sold 

 two hundred and seventy bushels, at an average price of forty- 

 five cents. In the autumn, I was particular to clear the land 

 of all refuse material, believing this to be the most effectual way 

 of avoiding the troublesome visitor of which I have spoken. 



In 1846, about the first of May, I spread upon the land five 

 cords of stable manure, ploughed it in, harrowed, bushed and 

 raked it. Then sowed about four pounds of seed to the acre, — 

 intending some spare plants for the use of the worms. Let out 

 the care of the field and harvesting — -allowing therefor one third 

 of the crop. My proportion was one hundred barrels fair onions, 

 which sold for one dollar a barrel ; and thirty-three bushels of 

 small ones. 



In 1847, I put upon the land four cords of muscle-bed, costing 

 two and a half dollars a cord, and three cords of manure, worth 

 four dollars a cord ; ploughed in the dressing about the first of 

 May. Sowed seed at the rate of three pounds to the acre, which 

 I purchased of D. Buxton — the round, plump onion. Weeded, 

 the first time, about the sixteenth of June, and finished weeding, 

 the second time, the fourth of July. After this, was busily en- 



