102 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



twelve years at least without a falling off in productiveness, and 

 without ploughing or reseeding. All of my tillage land that is 

 not in fruit, is kept in grass for hay, and is managed as follows : 



My barn is so constructed as to save every particle of the 

 manure, both liquid and solid, in a water-tight cellar. A suffi- 

 cient quantity of rain-water is added to dilute the liquid por- 

 tion. Each spring, about the time that the grass begins to look 

 green, the liquid is raised by means of a chain-pump and dis- 

 tributed by a simple box and spreader, upon that portion of the 

 grass nearest tlie barn. So much of the solid portion as may 

 be needed for any special purposels removed, and the rest al- 

 lowed to remain. At any convenient time in late summer or 

 autumn, the accumulated liquid is again spread upon other 

 grass. The solid residue is then entirely removed, and spread 

 upon grass more distant from the barn, choosing each year the 

 portions least productive. This plan has given satisfactory 

 results thus far, and will be continued. 



The farm is one field, having no interior fences or walls. Of 

 the division Avails standing at the time of the purchase, some 

 two hundred rods, I have removed the whole either into road- 

 beds, under-drains, or into a vacant corner. The original pas- 

 ture fields are now either in grass or fruit, and no stock is 

 allowed to be at large upon any part of the premises. In the 

 summer season but one cow is kej^t, and she is fed in the barn 

 upon early-cut grass and meal. In winter, enough additional 

 farrow cows are procured to consume all of the hay, and they 

 are fed freely with grain, by which means, through the butter 

 made and the increase in the value of the animals, I can realize 

 about twenty dollars per ton for the hay wliile retaining the 

 manure. At the present time, the probable price for hay looks 

 more |)romising than the price for butter, and this may change 

 my plans fur the coming winter. The purchase of grain to be 

 fed on the farm is very much more likely to increase the pro- 

 ductiveness of the soil, than the growing of the same grain in 

 preference to grass. At the present price of labor, I can produce 

 the price of a bushel of corn upon my land easier than I can 

 produce the bushel of corn. 



My experience with fruit has been very instructive, if not in 

 all cases profitable ])ccuniarily. Of the one luindrcd and ninety- 

 six apple-trees originally set,^one hundred and thirty-two have 



