94 ox FAP.MF.. I 



I 



manure, for which he uses for highland three parts meadow mud to 

 one of manure, with leached ashes, gypsum, and sometimes a little | 

 salt. For moist land, subsoil is used instead of mud. He has ex- , 

 perimented to some extent with guano, crushed bones, and poudrette. i 

 He is of opinion that any of these will benefit the first crop, but will ! 

 shew but little or no eifect afterwards, while his compost endures for I 

 a number of years, with but little apparent failure. In the applica- i 

 tion of manure he, like others, finds much difficulty in arriving at { 

 certain conclusions, owing in part to the uncertainty of the seasons, '■ 

 whether wet or dry. For a corn or potatoe crop on dry land, he ' 

 favors the ploughing in of the manure, as the surest manner of ob- \ 

 taining a full crop. But for grass and grain, which usually arrive i 

 at maturity before drowth pinches with severity, he prefers te have 

 the manure near the surface. In the application of his compost to ' 

 grass land, he is of opinion that it should be applied late in the au- i 

 tumn, to avoid the scorching rays of the sun before it is settled by ] 

 the rains arovmd the roots of the grass, ! 



His cultivation is remarkably neat and clean. Scarcely a weed- j 

 and not a bush, are to be found in his fields or pastures, neither in 

 the open field or in ambush under the fences, Avhich are mostly of . 

 stone wall. The surface stones had also been removed for fences and 

 under drain, of which he has many. 



Mr. How has been in possession of his farm for about twenty 

 years. He is the third generation upon the same spot. His land i 

 as a whole, is naturally of good quality, and by his skilful manage- 

 ment he has brought it to that state that it will continue to yield full i 

 crops with but little labor. In the hajing field, we saw two lads at 

 work, which, we were informed, are Mr. How's only children, ap- i 

 parently fifteen and seventeen years of age. From their intelligent 

 look, animated and contented appearance, the committee were of 

 opinion that Mr. How's farm might remain, as it now is, a model farm 

 for the next generation. 



Respectfully submitted, for the Committee, 



DEAN ROBINSON, Chairman. 

 Salem, Nov. 10, 1849. 



