118 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



which Mr. Sias does, and whicli we have not done heretofore. 

 Any one visiting this farm will be struck with the judgment 

 displayed throughout the whole management, and here will be 

 found an exception to the general rule stated above, that when 

 but one application was made for a premium the advantage of 

 competition was lost. Mr. Sias is not disposed to sul)due a 

 piece of pasture for the fun of it — as may be easily supposed, 

 when we are told that two men and two yoke of oxen were 

 three days in ploughing one acre after it had been cleared and 

 burnt over, and a great many stones removed, Mr. Sias j>utting 

 " his own shoulder to the wheel." His object was profit. His 

 farm is less than twenty acres, and needing pasture for only one 

 cow, he concluded to improve about one-half of his pasture, and 

 then he would have no waste land, and every acre would do its 

 duty towards earning subsistence for the family. The improved 

 lot contains about three acres ; it has a depression across the 

 middle of it, consequently one-half of it slopes to the north, 

 and the other half more gradually slopes to the south. A covered 

 ditch is to be made through the hollow to drain one corner, which 

 is very springy. The one acre, so hard to plough, produced eighty- 

 three bushels of corn for its first crop. The land is naturally 

 good, and, under Mr. Sias' management, will not produce less 

 and less each year, as is too commonly the case with improved 

 lands. His system is to make his land better each year, and 

 we wish all who have any doubts as to the profits of that plan, 

 and all who think their farms cannot be so managed, would go 

 and see Mr. Sias, and their eyes will bo opened. 



Below will be found the statement of John Sias, and we 

 cheerfully award him the first premium of eight dollars. 



M. B. Inches, Chairman. 

 Dedham, December 1, 18G0. 



Statement of John Sias. 

 Gentlemen, — The lot of land which I offer for a premium 

 contains about three acres, covered partly with red cedars and 

 small bushes, and was very rocky and stony. One great object 

 in attempting to reclaim it was to obtain the small stones to bed 

 a road which I contemplated making, and which I could not 



