198 Season oflSlb. 



Brandywine, 6th Mo. 4th, 1817. 



Esteemed Friend, 



A farmer is now with me, who says he has planted his 

 corn the third time this season, and finished yesterday 

 only ; the grub having nearly destroyed the whole that 

 was in seven acres. 



He also relates, that his neighbour's field, of about 

 twelve acres, separated only by a fence, is quite good, 

 and except about ten hills, he has not been obliged to 

 re-plant at all. 



He likewise relates, that both fields were ploughed last 

 season, and cultivated alike in all respects, but that his 

 neighbour's field being overgrown with wood grass, it 

 was burned off last fall, before ploughing ; he knows no 

 other method of accounting for the different state of the 

 corn in the two fields, and I mention this fact, as it may 

 throw some light upon a matter, very interesting, not on- 

 ly to our agriculturists, but to all the inhabitants of these 



states. 



There is reason to fear that the corn but just now 

 planted, can yield little or no crop, unless the remainder 

 of the season be uncommonly fine ; and as the corn of 

 rich lots, that has not been injured by the worm, is scarce 

 four inches high, there is much reason to fear, that our 

 corn crop will be very short this year, as well as the last. 



Thy friend, 



William Poole. 



Roberts Vaux. 



