PASTURE LANDS. 83 



Some small experiments in scarifying the surface and scat- 

 tering grass seed over it have also been made, with results 

 rather encouraging. With tools adapted to the purpose, it is 

 believed much may be done in this way to improve and reno- 

 vate our worn-out pastures. 



This subject commends itself to the committee, as deserving 

 the continued, if not increased, attention of the society; and 

 it is hoped that the farmers of Essex may be stimulated to in- 

 creased efforts to improve in this branch of husbandry. 



Josiah Little, Chairman. 



Statement of Jonathan Berry. 



The piece of land which I offer for your inspection, contain- 

 ing some six or seven acres, when I purchased the farm, in 

 1841, was of little or no value, as it was nearly covered with 

 alder, blueberry bushes, lambkill, brakes, besides rocks in any 

 quantity. In the first place I subdued the alders by mowing; 

 I then removed most of the large stones, and sold about 

 twenty-eight dollars' worth, which paid all the expense of 

 getting them out. In 1851 I ploughed about four acres. In 

 1852 I cross ploughed and harrowed the same. In 1853 I 

 ploughed two acres of the same, and spread on about twenty 

 loads of barn manure, and sowed it with millet. It yielded 

 three tons, the land being very uneven, and not fine enough for 

 so small a seed. In 1854 I ploughed four acres, and on the 

 two acres previously sown I spread one hundred and fifty 

 bushels of leached ashes, and sowed it with millet and hay 

 seed ; and I obtained four tons of millet. I planted one acre 

 with potatoes ; it yielded about thirty bushels, having suf- 

 fered severely from the drought. The remainder of the lot is 

 not fully subdued; but I hope, by continuing to plough, I shall 

 get it in good order. The lot will be seeded down and mown 

 until it is well swarded, and then fed as a pasture. 



I have not kept any account of the expense, as I have done 

 the work as I had leisure, and have not thought, until recently, 

 of entering it for premium ; but I feel satisfied it will eventually 

 pay good interest. In 1843-4—5 I subdued four or five acres 



