144 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



Will some of our young farmers or farmers' boys look to this 

 and try it on a small scale ? 



The above are abstracts from Prof. Johnson's Peat-Book, as 

 nearly as can be remembered, and put in practice by the writer 

 and others. 



Hence the remedy for dry, sandy soils is the use of peat, and 

 for our wet, heavy soils, or those that retain water, field drain- 

 age, as the roots of all field-plants have a great aversion to 

 stagnant water. Says the author of a work on farm drainage, 

 " The roots of plants will go anywhere rather than into stagnant 

 water ; but remove the water by drains and the soil becomes 

 sweeter and more friable, affording ample means for the roots 

 to extend their researches, thus giving vigor, health and 



strength to the plant." 



Eph'm Graham, 



For the Committee. 



BRISTOL. 



Statement of Rotheus H. Reed. 



Indian Corn. — The crop in 1866 was hay. No manure was 

 used. In 1867 it was planted to corn. I used fifteen loads of 

 barnyard manure, of thirty bushels to a load. The soil was a 

 sandy loam — ploughed but once and harrowed. Cost of plough- 

 ing and other preparation, $4.50. I used nineteen loads of 

 manure, of thirty bushels to a load. It was spread and ploughed 

 in. I also used one barrel of superphosphate of lime ; — put a 

 large spoonful in a hill, covered it with loam and dropped the 

 corn on it. Value of manure on the ground, $42. One barrel 

 of phosphate, $7.80. Planted May 29, in rows three and a half 

 feet by two feet between the hills. Amount of seed used, ten 

 quarts yellow corn. Cost of seed and planting, $4. Ploughed 

 and hoed twice, cost $5. Harvested about the last of October, 

 at a cost of $8. Amount of stalks and husks, $20. 



Rotheus H. Reed, Easton. 



From actual measurement, I hereby certify that the land 

 which the above crop of corn covered contained 160 rods, and 

 no more. Andrew Hall, Acting Surveyor. 



I hereby certify that I, appointed for that purpose, ascertained 

 the weight of the above crop, according to the regulations of the 



