92 ESSEX AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



and raked it in with an iron rake. I found it a little more dif- 

 ficult to get the seed to take where the surface was not dis- 

 turbed, and a natural grass, called bluejoint, had taken the 

 place. 



In 1847, 1 cut, from the one and a quarter acres, about two tons 

 of hay, mostly herds-grass and red-top. After haying, I put, 

 upon this acre and a quarter, about five cords of summer ma- 

 nure ; this year, 1848, I cut from four to five tons of good 

 English hay, not difiering in amount from what you estimated 

 it at. 



The roots and fuel taken from this land were worth about 

 fifteen dollars. The cost, over and above upland tillage 

 ground, may be fairly estimated at between twenty and thirty 

 dollars, varying a little on different lands. On some small por- 

 tions, I have spread about two inches of coarse gravel, after 

 sowing the hay seed. The cost of this method will be about 

 the same ; and I am inclined to the opinion that this is the bet- 

 ter method of reclaiming bog meadow land, where bushes do 

 not cover the ground. 



Where you intend to cover with gravel, the hassocks and all 

 prominences should be first removed, and as even a surface left 

 as possible ; then sow the hay seed, and cover with about two 

 inches of gravel. The gravelly portions of my meadow seemed 

 to stand any weather better than the portion that was not grav- 

 elled. 



TopsFiELD, >S'ey^/. 27. 1848. 



Milch Cows. 



The many necessaries and luxuries of life, and the sources of 

 industry and income, which, directly or indirectly, receive their 

 origin from the cow, place her among the invaluable blessings 

 with which a beneficent Providence has favored us. To im- 

 prove the cow, so as to produce better milkers, with form, size, 

 and constitution, best adapted to our fare and climate, should 

 be the studious solicitude of all engaged in rearing neat stock. 



