326 COSTS OP MARLINa. 



In this job, the quantity of labour of every kind employed, was 

 accurately noted, and also the amount of marl carried out ; so that 

 the cost could be very exactly calculated. But owing to the great 

 and frequent variation of distances from the various pits opened, 

 there was no measurement of the travel made, and of course the 

 proportion of work performed to the force engaged was not known. 



IV. The next job of marling estimated was in 1844, on Marl- 

 bourne, a farm on the Pamunkey river then recently bought, and 

 made my residence. This is the operation of which the facts in 

 detail will be given hereafter. Therefore it is enough to state here 

 that the total cost of 7808 bushels, carried to the average distance 

 of 1436 yards from pit to field, amounted to 94 cents for the 100 

 bushels of marl, spread on the land. 



Thus, of these four considerable operations, performed at diffe- 

 rent periods, and under different circumstances, of which one only 

 can be deemed of ordinary facility and cheapness, and one other 

 was excessively laborious and expensive, the costs brought together 

 are as follows : 



Cost per 100 

 heaped bushels. 

 $1 42 

 97 

 86 

 94 



Cost per acre if 

 at 300 bushels. 



$4 26 

 2 92 

 2 58 

 2 82 



1st, on Coggins Point farm, 



2d, " _--, . . . 



3d, " Shellbanks, 



4th, " Marlbourne, .... 



But not one of these operations was as judiciously and cheaply 

 executed as my more full experience would now direct; and if 

 either one were now to be done, I could save much of the labour 

 before expended. Nor does this rest on supposition, but has been 

 actually tested by further and large operations in the same locality 

 and circumstances as of the fourth in the above statement. By 

 improving the processes, or avoiding previous waste of means, 

 something has been saved in every branch of labour, as will here- 

 after be shown. 



