FARMS. 87 



swell, and the soil is made cold and sour by a soak of water, 

 while the subsoil has an almost impenetrable "hard-pan," 

 formed by a deposit of iron. In this condition of the soil and 

 subsoil, nothing of much value would grow; the land was 

 overrun with low shrubs, intermingled with rushes and other 

 aquatic vegetation. Some trials which were made in drainage 

 a few years ago, indicated that it was very beneficial to this land, 

 and Mr. Richardson has lately gone into the business on a larger 

 and more systematic scale. A piece of wild pasture, hitherto 

 almost wholly unproductive, was drained in the wettest spots, 

 ploughed and planted to Indian corn last spring, — a portion 

 manured with two hundred pounds '^f super-phosphate of lime, 

 and another portion with the same quantity of ground bones 

 to the acre, applied in the hill at the time of planting. A 

 good crop of corn — estimated at forty bushels to the acre — 

 was obtained. The manures used seemed to hasten the 

 growth and maturity of the corn, for though it was what 

 might be called frosty land, the crop was all sound and 

 of the best quality. On a small portion of the field, wood 

 ashes and plaster were used, in consequence of the super- 

 phosphate and bones having been expended. The same value 

 per acre was used of the ashes and plaster as had been 

 used of the other articles. The result was very strikingly 

 in favor of the super-phosphate and bones, as was shown by 

 portions of the crop where all the articles were applied, being 

 standing at the time of our visit. The crop was not only 

 lighter where ashes and plaster were used, but it was not so 

 well ripened. 



Mr. Richardson has now dug ditches, at distances of about 

 two rods, on another lot, and will complete the drains before the 

 opening of another season. The ditches are about two and a 

 half feet deep, and about a foot in depth of small stones forms 

 the drains. Mr. Richardson has not tried tiles, as stones arc 

 very abundant on his land. We would suggest that tiles laid in 

 one of the ditches — stones being used on either side — would 

 settle the question as to which will best answer the purpose, 

 without much expense. 



The general appearance of Mr. Richardson's farm indicates 

 that the owner believes in progress. Besides the improvements 

 above spoken of, he is turning his attention to the culture of 



