122 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



pulverize thoroughly the soil and the manure. We find under 

 this treatment our crops range from fifty to eighty-five bushels 

 of Indian corn to the acre — the crops this year averaging more 

 than sixty bushels, though })lanted on very shallow, gravelly 

 laud. Our rye has yielded more than forty bushels to the acre, 

 although the crop for the present year, on twelve acres, ranges 

 from twelve to thirty bushels to the acre, owing to tlie bad 

 weather at the time of harvesting. Taking tlio present year 

 with tlie seven preceding, the average yield of rye is a fraction 

 over thirty bushels to the acre. We have raised over two hun- 

 dred bushels of potatoes to the acre. Thiity acres of grass 

 land yield forty-five tons of English hay. And we raise vege- 

 tables enough to supply a family of sixty persons. 



" Respectfully yours, &c., Adino Page." 



We would add to the statement of Mr. Page, that the farm 

 under his care gave evidence of prudent and economical culti- 

 vation. His system of manufacturing manure is certainly most 

 effectual in supplying compost heaps which any farmer might 

 envy ; and that he has applied them well is fully attested by the 

 luxuriant fields which he has brought out of the swamps and 

 gravelly plains which compose the farm. The expense of this 

 we did not ascertain — but we can conceive that almost any out- 

 lay in this direction would be attended with an ultimate reward. 

 We look upon the operations of Mr. Page, as a fine illustration 

 of the application of good practical agriculture under great 

 obstacles, and of the success which follows careful tillage. 



We visited lastly the well known farm of Horace Ware, sit- 

 uated in Marblehead, containing about one hundred acres, and 

 stretching from the road between Marblehead and Lynn to the 

 seashore, a parallelogram about one hundred and sixty rods in 

 depth. The location of the farm is very beautiful, commanding 

 a fine view of the sea, and affording fields admirably adapted to 

 cultivation. The farm buildings are judiciously located nearly 

 in the middle of the estate, being easy of access from every 

 quarter, and affording convenient accommodation for all that is 

 needed in extensive operations. Short distances for the travel 

 of laborers and for the transportation of manure, is evidently 

 one of Mr. Ware's principles of farming. Luxuriant orchards 

 surround the buildings, and give evidence of skilful manage- 



