76 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



be composed of nearly equal parts of earth and vegetable mat- 

 ter, averaging about one foot in depth. 



The natural products of this land were brake, meadow cab- 

 bage, moss, &c. It was free from stumps, bushes, and stones. 



In September, 1852, it was ploughed nearly a foot deep, in 

 some places reaching the subsoil. Owing to a press of work, 

 the drains were not made until after the first ploughing. A 

 margin drain was cut along the base of the hill of sufficient 

 depth to cut off the springs ; also a centre drain three feet 

 wide and eighteen inches deep. Two cross drains were 

 opened from the margin to the centre. 



The centre drain was left open; the margin and cross drains 

 were covered. About one-third of an acre of this land, lying 

 on the side of the centre drain, opposite the hill, was so situ- 

 ated that a margin ditch could not be cut; and it was, there- 

 fore, laid down in beds. 



The meadow received no further attention until June, 1853, 

 when it was cross ploughed, and the remains of the turf piled 

 and burned. In August the large quantity of ashes remaining 

 on the ground was spread, the land manured, harrowed, and on 

 some portions of it the cultivator was used. 



About the 15th of August it was sown with herds grass, red 

 top, and English turnip, bushed and rolled. 



The crop of turnips was gathered the first of November. 

 June 28, 1854, I commenced cutting the grass. That which 

 was mown first remained in the field until the 3d of July, pro- 

 tected from the dew at night by hay covers. 



The remainder was in the field five days ; and, the weather 

 being fine, the hay was thoroughly made. 



September 1st the second crop was cut, and on the 8th it was 

 put into the barn. 



The following is a statement of the expenses and value of 

 the crops : — 



Expenses : — 



First ploughing, $30 00 



Second " 14 00 



Draining, 16 00 



Piling and burning turf, .... 6 00 



