322 ESTIMATES OF COST OP MARLING. 



any additional portion of his crop, in employing profitable labour, 

 becomes his own best customer. The corn supposed to be used, 

 by these estimates, is transferred on the 1st of January, without 

 even the trouble of shelling or measuring, from A. B. corn-seller, 

 to A. B. marler, and instantly paid for. Forty-five cents the 

 bushel, at that early time, and obtained with as little trouble, from 

 any purchaser, would be a better regular sale than the general 

 average of prices and payments. 



Tfie estimates of laboim applied to particular marling operations. 



According to such estimates as the foregoing of the elements of 

 labour, or as corrected in any particulars which may be deemed 

 wanting, the expenses of marling operations ought to be estimated. 

 And if conducted with proper attention and judgment, it will be 

 found that, in the majority of cases in lower Virginia, the total cost 

 of applying marl, on farms furnishing the marl, would not exceed 

 one cent the bushel. In many other caees, of very favourable cir- 

 cumstances, half a cent the bushel would cover all the expenses. 

 In but very few cases of any known actual operations, and of rare 

 and great difficulties to encounter, ought the total cost to have 

 reached 2 cents. Yet even if amounting to 6 cents (for rich marl), 

 there would still be great profit on the outlay ; which is sufficiently 

 proved by the great and increasing recent use of water-borne marl, 

 which is sold at 4 and 5 cents the bushel, delivered at the buyer's 

 landing, and which is further increased, for the carting to and 

 spreading on the field. 



In my own long-continued and extensive marling labours, over 

 nearly all the arable land of three several farms in succession, I 

 have but in- few cases, and those of small extent, had very easy 

 work. Nearly all my marling has been of more than ordinary- 

 difficulty, owing to the natural features of the land, and the posi- 

 tion and character of the marl ; besides the other early and great 

 difficulties always attending the first beginnings of new operations, 

 without experience or other guidance. Yet, throughout all my 

 marlings (now extended to some 1500 acres, at more than the 

 general average rate of 400 bushels), the average of the whole ex- 

 penses ought not (as I would now conduct such) to have exceeded 

 one cent the bushel, spread on the field. 



Such general opinions and statements, however, will be much 

 less satisfactory than statements of actual labours and the actual 

 costs. I know of no such estimates of the easier and cheaper 

 marlings which indeed are so easy and cheap that no one would 

 care to calculate the cost. None of my cheapest operations were 

 extensive enough to furnish subjects for fair estimates. For, unless 

 the labours, especially of the teams, are continued nearly regularly 

 for some months, the accuracy of the estimates of cost may well be 



