312 NORFOLK SOCIETY. 



In 1841 the growth of herds grass and red top was very- 

 heavy, and the quality excellent. It was cut the first week in 

 July, before it was fully grown, and was estimated at over two 

 tons to the acre. The second crop was cut about the middle 

 of September, and was estimated at over one ton to the acre. 

 Compost, of one-third part stable manure, and two-thirds sandy 

 loam, — at the rate of fifteen ox-cart loads per acre, — has been 

 spread on, late in the fall, every second year since it was sown 

 to grass. And the crop has been as heavy and as good every 

 year, up to the present time, as it was the first year, — both first 

 and second crops. In 1843, the first crop grown upon this 

 half acre was put into the barn, apart from the other hay; and 

 when sold, in the spring, it weighed over twenty-one hundred 

 pounds. 



The remainder of the field was reclaimed by carting on sand, 

 at different times, — covering it from two to three inches deep, 

 spreading the mud from the ditches on the sand, and compost, 

 of the same kind and in same quantity, as on the first piece. 

 The crop taken from this, the first three years, was equal to 

 that from the piece which was ploughed. But since that time, 

 the natural grass has come in, although the whole field has 

 been manured and treated in the same way. The whole has 

 been mowed twice each year since it was first sown with 

 grass seed. 



DovKR, Nov. 21, 1851. 



Peach Orchards. 



Three peach orchards were offered for the society's pre- 

 miums. 



Of the orchard of Mr. Porter, the committee would remark, 

 that by the free use of the knife in shortening the new wood, 

 and by the cultivation and management of his grounds, he has 

 not only produced trees of fine pyramidal form, but crops of 

 fruit which bear testimony to his judicious pruning and 

 treatment. 



Mr. Reed's orchard is systematically laid out. His trees 

 are thrifty and well formedj but have not as yet borne fruit. 



