106 PLYMOUTH SOCIETY. 



lot was thickly covered with bushes; all of it quite stony; 

 about one third part of it literally paved with stones. 



I commenced in the autumn of 1843 digging the stones and 

 ditching on one corner, but was prevented clearing but a few 

 rods by heavy rains. I resumed operations in August, 1844, 

 by clearing it of the stones above the surface, and disposed of 

 them in building a wall on three sides of it. I then dug six 

 ditches across the lot, parallel with each other, in such place as 

 would best drain off the water. 



There are about 65 rods of ditch, the cost of which was $12. 

 The ditches were dug several inches into the hard strata below 

 the soil, and the contents spread over the surface. I then 

 hauled and spread about 100 loads of sand and loam, at an 

 estimated cost of ten cents per load. I then spread on about 25 

 ox cart loads of compost manure, made by ploughing up the 

 bottom of my cow yard, and yarding my cattle on the same 

 through the summer. This compost, excepting 5 or 6 loads, 

 which were pretty good manure, I considered not worth more 

 than 40 cents per load. I then (about the 10th of Sept.) sowed 

 the grass seed, and covered it with a bush. No part has been 

 ploughed. 



As to the cost of digging the stones, drawing them off and 

 placing them in the wall, I cannot say with accuracy ; no ac- 

 count of the time was kept ; it was done by odd jobs. If I had 

 hired the work all done, it probably would have cost $40, but 

 as the stones were used in the wall between this lot and others, 

 where a good fence was needed, I should think that $25 would 

 be enough to charge to this lot, making the whole cost as fol- 

 lows : — 



For removing stones, ....... $25 00 



12 00 

 100 loads of sand, and spreading, . 

 25 loads compost, " " . 



grass seed, ...... 



sowing and bushing, , 



$64 50 



12 00 



