ON KOOT CULTUEE. 39 



These facts I mention, as explaining the reason, why my onions did 

 not receive all proper care. Those who make it their special busi- 

 ness to attend to this crop can well have them in greater perfection. 



I have 'spoken of using old ivell rotted manure. I presume green 

 manure from cattle, if it can be well mingled with the soil, will do 

 quite as well. Or better, as it has more strength. Where the onion 

 land is sloping or liable to wash, care should be taken to guard 

 against this by ploughing furrows about one rod apart. 



I estimate the net income of my best half acre of onions, the 

 present year, to be not less than seventy-five dollars ; and for the 

 whole period I have raised them to be not less than fifty dollars a 

 year. 



^ Respectfully submitted, 



AAHON C. PROCTOR. 

 Danvers, October SOfch, 184T. 



JOHN PEASLEE'S STATEMENT. 



Sir, — At your request, I communicate the following facts relating 

 to my culture of Onions. I have about three acres of land cultivat- 

 ed with onions. Lot No. 1. on Wilson's Hill, west of Liberty St. 

 containing one acre and three quarters. Lot No. 2. on the opposite 

 side of the St. containing three quarters of an acre. Lot No. 3. situ- 

 ate in the field next adjoining easterly, containing half an acre. 



Lot No. 1. has been cultivated with onions for fifteen years or 

 more. When I first began upon it, it was rough and full of large 

 stones. It had been manured but little for many years. For five 

 or six years I applied to it about five cords of muscle bed to the 

 acre, costing about two dollars per cord. Since then I have applied 

 about five cords of manure, principally from the stables, to the acre, 

 costing from four dollars to five dollars a cord. In the spring I 

 plough the land once, then harroAv it and bush it, and rake it so as to 

 make the surface finely pulverized, and free of all impediments to 

 the sowing of the seed. I use a machine for distributing the seed. 

 A man Avill sow two acres in» a day, after the land is properl}'- pre. 

 pared. I use about three pounds of seed to the acre. I raise my 

 own seed. It is estimated worth one dollar a pound. I am careful 



