ESSEX SOCIETY. 69 



as I have, fifty-two and a half bushels of oats, thirty-one bush- 

 els of rye, and more than three hundred bushels of corn, be- 

 sides barley, potatoes, fruit and various vegetables, more than 

 sufficient for use of families, and farm purposes. 



By reference to my daily account of farm work, I find that 

 one hundred and forty-six days' work were performed in dig- 

 ing cellar and well on the island, drawing stone, brick and 

 lumber, for the buildings, and making a new street in Bradford 

 village, by the hands employed on the farm, whose wages are 

 charged in preceding account of farm expenses, and which, if 

 deducted, would lessen the expenses and increase the profits of 

 the farm, more than one hundred dollars. I have made no 

 charge for my supervision, or the labor performed by my son 

 on the farm, but the rent of house, fuel, fruit, vegetables, pork, 

 butter, and numerous articles of family consumption, to say 

 nothing of the satisfaction derived from making not only two, 

 but even three blades of grass where but one grew before, I 

 have considered a full compensation. In addition to the per- 

 manent improvements made in buildings, ^ences, &c., I think 

 it will be conceded, that I have increased the productive capac- 

 ity of the farm for the year to come, more than five hundred 

 dollars. 



My farm, with the buildings erected and repaired since my 

 purchase, and including stock and tools, has cost me about 

 seventeen thousand dollars. Now it will be perceived by the 

 credit in the preceding account, that it has paid an interest on 

 this investment of nearly twelve per cent. The remark has 

 often been made to me by people in my vicinity to this effect, 

 " well, you have got a good farm, and if you get a living from 

 it and pay your expenses, you will do better than any who 

 have owned it before you." Experience has proved the incor- 

 rectness of this remark so far as it relates to myself. I believe 

 investments in farming, if the business is carried on with the 

 system, energy, perseverance, economy and skill, which char- 

 acterize commercial and manufacturing operations, would yield 

 as profitable returns and with much less risk. This report has 

 been extended to a much greater length than I anticipated at 

 its commencement, but had it been more brief, many facts and 



