108 



MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



from the surface was inverted over it, and then the surface soil 

 was carefully packed around and over the tile to the depth of 

 some six inches, and then the ditch was filled with whatever 

 came handy, extreme care being taken not to displace the tile ; 

 but we should think, in order to insure the permanency of the 

 work, some leather shavings should have been placed over the 

 tile, after the surface soil had been placed on them to prevent 

 the silt from working through, though it is claimed that is not 

 necessary, as the surface soil will answer all purposes. 



So much for the work and the way it was done. Now for the 

 expense : 



By data exhibited to us the cost of tile was . . $476 12 

 Cost of labor, 83-4 00 



Making the whole expense, .... il,310 12 



The cost of cultivation of the crop is set down by the farmer 

 as follows : 



Ploughing, part done with one yoke of oxen and a 

 horse, and part with two yoke of oxen, 



Harrowing, 



Planting the various crops, . 



Hoeing, ...... 



Value of manure (S-l cords), 



Add cost of drainage, .... 



Balance against the lot, 



i2,004 12 



Your Committee very much regret that this Report could not 

 have been deferred till the crops were harvested, so as to have 

 had the exact amount of the different crops instead of esti- 

 mates ; but as it could not, wc were obliged to content ourselves 

 with what we could get, as we do not understand the Society 

 to require a written statement from the claimant. The crops 

 were as follows : 



Nine acres of corn, 50 bushels to the acre (this 

 we think a reasonable estimate), at one dollar 

 a bushel, 



150 00 



