FARMS. 101 



On three and one-half acres of land, the same in grass last 

 year, I have cut, by estimate, five and one-half tons of English 

 hay. The yield of the same land last year, was estimated to be 

 two tons. I can attribute the increase to no other cause than 

 manure, most of the land having received a " top-dressing " 

 last April. 



I shall, this fall, haul out and spread all the manure now in 

 my cellar, believing it to be the most profitable manner in 

 which it can be applied. 



The first week in August I ploughed in the barley stubble, 

 and turned under the sward in the same field, and laid it 

 down to grass, sowing Timothy and fine top. The seed took 

 remarkably well, and, as the season has been favorable, it now 

 presents a fine appearance, and bids fair to yield a good crop 

 next year. Being hurried with my work at the time of sowing 

 the seed, it was laid down without manure ; but as soon as 

 the ground freezes, so that the team will not " cut up " the 

 land, I shall give it " a top-dressing." 



Our time, not occupied with the care and attention of crops 

 and stock, has been devoted to improving and repairing build- 

 ings, walls, fences, &c., or, rather, in advancing improvements 

 already began. 



The alterations in and about the barn and outbuildings, in 

 order to increase facilities for compounding and composting, — 

 the removal of division walls that seemed not only entirely 

 useless, but occupied much space with their wide foundations 

 and unsightly " hedgerows," — clearing land from rocks and 

 stones, by sinking and blasting, that had obstructed the free 

 use of plough and scythe, so long as ploughs and scythes have 

 been in use, — planting apple and pear trees, strawberry and 

 grape vines, hoping, in due season, to reap the fruits thereof, — 

 moving bushes, and otherwise clearing up pastures, that cattle 

 might be enabled, with less travel and fatigue, to obtain their 

 scanty subsistence, — gravelling and preparing for the reception 

 of seed half an acre of worthless " bog," — these, and works of 

 like character, have kept us steadily employed throughout 

 the season, early and late. Whether our time has been 

 "judiciously" employed, and our efforts well directed, remains 

 for you to decide. My receipts and expenses for the year 

 ending November 15, 1861, are as follows : — 



