!r* 



ON FARMS. 



33 



As entering my farm for premium was entirely un- 

 premeditated, therefore 1 cannot give so definite a 

 statement, in any respect, as I might otherwise have 

 done. 



In comphance with your request, T also give a 

 brief statement of the management of my farm and 

 the comparative increase of crops for a few previous 

 years. 1 usually mow my fields from four to six 

 years ; then plough and manure them ; plant one 

 year, the second year sow with grain and hay seed, 

 — although I have recently practised top dressing with 

 compost manure with very good success. As most 

 of my pastures are suitable for culture, I occasional- 

 ly plough them, plant one year with corn, manure in 

 the hill v/ith compost manure, and the second year 

 sow with grain and hay seed ; which much improves 

 the pasture. I have purchased, since the Spring of 

 1829, on an average, from 12 to 15 cords of manure 

 per year. 1 have also used a few tons of plaster 

 paris with very good success. I also last year used 

 100 bushels of ashes. As to compost manure, we 

 make as much as circumstances will admit of. 



I have about five acres of meadow land, which 

 formerly produced but very little hay, and that of an 

 inferior quality. The mud in the deepest part was 

 about three feet deep, and gradually decreased on 

 every side to the upland. 1 commenced ditching it 

 in the Autum of 1828, and did but little more until 

 the Autumn of 1832, when I carted on the contents 

 of a barn cellar I had been digging ; — sowed on hay 

 seed, and the next year it produced a good burden of 

 English hay. Since that time, 1 think it has produced 

 from two to three tons to the acre. I cannot state 

 precisely the expense of draining said meadow, but 

 think it will amount to about ^30 per acre. I have 

 a few acres of low land adjoining said meadow, 

 which formerly produced but very little, and by top 

 dressing, now produces a large burden of good hay, 

 5 



