FARMERS MISCELLANY. 295 



trees which gave shelter to the more tender productions we are 

 speaking of. All these are undoubtedly to be considered ; yet it 

 seems to me that the first named is by far the most important. I 

 should like to hear your opinion upon it. The fact is clearly esta- 

 blished, and is known over a wide extent of country ; and if we can 

 but get at the cause, it is possible we may also find a remedy. 



I intended here to have spoken of Mr. Geddes's farming opera- 

 lions, but I see that I had better delay it until my next, and so you 

 will not object to my closing this with, 



Yours, &c. 



Letter VI. 



Tyler Post-office, September 27, 1845. 

 My Dear Friexd — I write you from the residence of my friend 

 Mr. Geddes, »ho is a distinguished agriculturist ; and in looking 

 about his place, I am well satisfied that plans of houses, of yards 

 and barns, are of but little use, or perhaps I had better say they 

 are only generally useful. Now the location, the exposure, the posi- 

 tion of the farm-houses, barns, etc. must all be governed by circum- 

 stances ; and each farm has something sui generis, which must 

 control the arrangements for its cultivation. Even the inside plan of 

 the house may be essentially modified by the relations of the spot 

 on which it stands. Leaving, however, this subject for conversation 

 when we meet, I propose to speak in this letter of Mr. Geddes's 

 farm management. 



The farm contains 300 acres : it lies on both sides of the great 

 western turnpike leading from Syracuse to Auburn. The railway 

 skirts it on the north, and it is about one mile south of the canal. 

 Mr. G.'s management is this : He rents the greater part of the 

 farm to two tenants, who cultivate different parts as they may agree ; 

 but over the whole Mr. G. retains the entire power of directing, not 

 only what crops are to be raised, but how the land shall be culti- 

 vated. By this system, unity is preserved in the management, the 

 land prevented froni too close cultivation, and a system persevered 

 in which keeps it in excellent condition. To the tenants a house is 

 furnished, together with stables, garden, pasturing of cows, hogs 

 and teams, and one half of the seed-grain and grass-seed, and a 



