220 



MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



BKOOMCORN 



HAMPSHIRE, FRANKLIN AND HAMPDEN. 



Statement of Henry S. Porter. 



The land on which it was raised lies on the Connecticut 

 River, and is of a dark, loamy nature, containing one acre and 

 eight rods. In the years 1854-5 it was planted with broom- 

 corn, with eight or ten loads of long manure. In the fall of 

 '55 I ploughed in the broomstalks, and sowed it with wheat, 

 but, on account of the severity of the winter, I obtained but a 

 small crop. In the spring of '56, I sowed in ten pounds of 

 clover seed, which grew very stout before fall. Last spring, 

 about the 15th of May, I ploughed the crop of clover under, 

 rolled it down and harrowed it well. I put on six loads of dirt 

 that came from under an old barn. This was applied in the 

 hills, which were three feet apart by two and one-half, and 

 planted near the 20th of May. I hoed it four times, harvested 

 it the 1st of October, and now give the result: — 



1,115 lbs. broomcorn brush, at 6c. per lb., 

 50 bush, seed, at 30c., . 



Yalue of crop, 



Expenses : — 

 Ploughing, . 

 Harrowing and rolling. 

 Six loads manure, 

 Applying same, . 

 Seed and planting. 

 Hoeing four times, 

 Harvesting and scraping. 

 Interest on land, 



Net profits, . 

 Hatfikld. 



$66 90 

 15 00 



$81 90 



$43 65 



