172 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



In harvesting corn, I liave practised both the previous cutting 

 of the top stalk, and the cutting up the whole crop and stooking 

 it in the field till it is dry. The top stalk retains its freshness 

 and sweetness, if put under cover, the second or third day after 

 cutting, and in a position to receive the air freely. But I am 

 satisfied that the other practice is, on the whole, most useful 

 and profitable. 



Medfield, November, 1857. 



Statement of E. and J. Sias. 



The farm which we enter for premium consists of about 

 twenty-nine acres. We purchased it twenty-five years ago. 

 But about seven acres had then been cultivated, including the 

 land now occupied by our buildings and the lane leading to 

 them, and also about an acre of swale land, mostly covered 

 with large rocks, which we have since removed or mostly cov- 

 ered, leaving but about five acres in the lot fit for cultivation 

 and that had been mowed and fed until it produced but a very 

 small crop. The remaining twenty-two acres were swamp and 

 pasture land, the latter being mostly covered with bushes. We 

 came on to the place in 1837, young and inexperienced in farm- 

 ing, and owing for our farm $2,000. But we went to work 

 with a will and courage that has never failed us. We had not 

 the means to make improvements, excepting as we dug them 

 out inch by inch from a hard and rugged soil. But after a long 

 pull of fifteen years, we paid for our farm. Since then, our 

 object has been more to improve it than to lay up money, and 

 it gives us great pleasure to find that we have so far succeeded 

 as to attract the notice of the committee of the Norfolk Agricul- 

 tural Society on farms, and to induce tliem to visit our place 

 the present season. 



Tliis year we, had about six acres under cultivation, and about 

 twelve in mowing, including about two of swamp. Our usual 

 stock is five cows and two horses, which are kept on the produce 

 of the farm exclusive of that which is sold. This year we have 

 been very unfortunate with our cows, by injuries, reducing the 

 quantity of our milk very much. We estimate the loss, by 



