48 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



In May, 1851, the land was again dug over and smoothed as 

 far as practicable, and then planted with corn, in the ordinary 

 way, with a common dressing of manure placed in the hill. 

 The crop of corn was fair, being about fifty bushels of sound 

 corn to the acre. It was partially injured by the frosts, the land 

 being too cold for corn. After the crop was taken off, the land 

 was levelled and smoothed, with the harrow and hoes. In 

 March, 1852, it was sown with herds-grass and redtop, just 

 when moistened with a coating of light snow. But the seed 

 did not catch well, and the growth that season was light. In 

 the spring of 1853, the grass started in a promising manner, 

 and completely covered the ground. No addition of fertilizing 

 materials was applied. It continued to grow luxuriantly, yield- 

 ing an abundant crop of excellent grass. On the three acres, 

 we cut between nine and ten tons of hay at the first mowing, 

 and full three tons at the second, being an average amount 

 of four tons to the acre, for the season, — the best^iay product 

 grown on the farm. 



Some additional improvements have been made since, by com- 

 pleting the arrangement of the ditches, so as effectually to let 

 off all the surplus water, — which is now drained to about 

 eighteen inches below the surface of the land, — and by arrang- 

 ing conduits, or fluid conductors, from the backyard of the 

 house, and the hog-yard, so as to convey the liquids from these 

 establishments to the meadow, which being done, it is not easy 

 to estimate the quantity of grass tliat may be grown thereon. 

 It is safe to say that four tons to the acre can be grown 

 annually, without any other dressing. 



When it is considered that all this has been done on a worth- 

 less bog, without any extravagant expenditure, chiefly by the 

 aid of the inmates of the house, I feel a pride in presenting it 

 to the notice of the committee and society ; both because of its 

 being a valuable improvement on the farm, and as an exemplifi- 

 cation to others of what patience and perseverance will accom- 

 plish. Having no personal interest in the matter, I feel that 

 I may, without any impropriety, so far boast of what has been 

 done. 



DA.XVER9, October 27, 1853. 



