ob ON ROOT CULTURE. 



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 it, bushed it, and raked it , 

 spared no pains to place it in a good condition. Sowed about three 

 pounds of seed to the acre. Wed as heretofore. About one-eighth 

 part of the lot was cut of by the gruhh-worm — a very vexatious vis- 

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

 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 ref- 

 use 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, harroAved, 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 pro- 

 portion 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 Mr. D. Buxton — the round, plump onion. Wed the first time 

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

 the fourth of July. After this, was busily engaged in haying ; and 

 when I looked at mv onions, found the field completely covered with 

 parsley ; so that I was fearful the crop was spoiled. We immediate- 

 ly applied ourselves to pulling out the weeds, and taking them away 

 by cartloads. All parts of the field were essentially injured, by this 

 process and a severe wind that soon followed ; where the weeds were 

 first cleared, the crop was best. I selected, gathered and measured 

 ten rows together, which yielded four and one4ialf bushels to the 

 square rod — or at the rate of 720 bushels to the acre. Had it not 

 been for the weeds and the wind, I know no reason why the entire 

 lot would not have yielded in the same proportion. We have gath- 

 ered and sold four hundred bushels, and have a few remaining. I 

 have had eleven acres of other vegetables to take care of — fifty 

 acres of grass to mow, and the milk of twelve cows to distribute. 



