FARMS. 23 



subsoil plough, the large stones sunk, and a liberal coat of ma- 

 nure spread on. At this time the whole twenty-four acres are 

 in one lot, all in grass, so smooth and free from stones that it 

 may be mowed with horse power, (if any land can,) and will 

 produce in its present condition forty tons of hay per annum. 



But some may still be inclined to ask, Why under-drain such 

 land as this ? It is no more moist than the most of our "Worces- 

 ter county hill-lands, which are very retentive of water. My 

 answer is, In taking a thorough survey of these eight lots, en- 

 closed by two hundred rods of ill-shaped old walls, running in 

 all directions, enclosing them in unsightly forms, besides actually 

 standing on two acres of virgin soil, and considering the waste 

 of headlands, which on each side of these walls were the re- 

 ceptacles of brush and noxious weeds, using up full another 

 acre, and the damage to and time required in turning the 

 plough, the mowing machine, and the horse rake, I thought 

 these walls should be removed and all brought into one lot. 



The drainage water on part of the lot is brought into an 

 open ditch by the side of the road which runs east and west, 

 and is carried on from thirty to fifty rods, thence across the 

 road in three culverts, twenty rods apart, and used for irrigat- 

 ing some sixteen acres of dryer mowing land, having a greater 

 fall than the above described. And the good effect of this water 

 for irrigation is apparent to all who have witnessed its appli- 

 cation. I have no doubt that the water alone has increased the 

 hay on the first eight acres a full half ton to the acre annually. 

 Besides these, a main under-drain is so constructed that it takes 

 all the surplus water not wanted for the purpose of irrigation 

 to an old, dry pasture, after taking in its way the drainage 

 from the buildings, causing the pasture to produce more than 

 twice its former crop. 



The land on which my apple, pear, and quince trees stand 

 has been under-drained to some extent, and a very large num- 

 ber of bowlders, or stones larger than could be used in the 

 drains, was sunk on the spot. About six acres have been pre- 

 pare land set to trees, as above described, within the last 

 five year3, and many of these trees have borne the past sea- 

 son. Tais land was all ploughed or spaded to the depth of 

 fi teen inches before the trees were set out, and has been kept 



