104 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



The deep part of the meadow was planted with potatoes, 

 putting the ashes into the hills. The other part with the upland 

 was {)lantod with squashes, putting tiie ashes into the hills — 

 planting done the last week in June. Probably there was never 

 seen a more luxuriant growth of vines in Essex County. But the 

 early frost in August nearly destroyed both potatoes and squash 

 vines. The warm weather following immediately after, so far 

 revived them as that they averaged half a crop. 



In 1859, the deep part of the meadow was planted with pota- 

 toes, with no manure, yielding about two hundred bushels per 

 acre. The other part of the meadow with the upland was 

 planted with corn, also without manure. Both parts were 

 planted the last of May. The crop of corn was good for the 

 season. 



In the latter part of November the whole was ploughed ; the 

 deep part with a horse, the other with oxen, and all sown with 

 winter rye and grass seed, except about three-fourths of an acre 

 of deep part of meadow. 



The present year, 18G0, the three-fourths acre, and also a 

 small piece adjoining, where the muck had all been carted off, 

 were planted with potatoes. The latter piece was slightly ma- 

 nured. Judging from what have been dug, there will be two 

 hundred bushels on the three-fourths acre, and about two-thirds 

 of that yield on the other piece. 



The winter rye sown in November, peeped out with the young 

 blades of grass. In the spring the plants looked well un^il the 

 heaving frost threw them out. I immediately passed a stone 

 roller over the whole, and filled the ditches with water by 

 damming below. Whether or not this was of service, you can 

 judge by your own observation. 



The rye was gathered in good order. Judging from wliat 

 I have threshed, the average yield would be twenty-two or 

 twenty-three bushels per acre. Some acres yield thirty bushels 

 or more. 



My men are now cutting half a ton per acre where the rye 

 grew. 



Methuen, September 2G, 1860. 



