12 



or three years, and by means of it had made light, sandy loam 

 productive, and succeeded in raising pears where he supposed 

 it was impossible to grow them. Now that he has got water 

 he needs manure. It is injurious to apply water in large quan- 

 tities without drainage." (Many uplands are naturally drained 

 sufficiently.) Referring to a crop of peas he says "they must 

 have plenty of manure as well as water. He did not think it 

 would pay to use water at the rate of twenty -five cents for a 

 thousand gallons. He gets his supply from the Concord water- 

 works, wliich have a hundred feet head. The Water Board 

 can furnish water at low rates, and are ready to make liberal 

 terms." "He did not believe it would pay to use water through 

 a meter." The water-works in Arlington and Winchester are 

 also drawn upon for purposes of irrigation. 



I am led to refer to this subject as drought seems to me to be 

 one of the worst, if not the worst, enemy, that we New Eng- 

 landers, and others, have to contend with. Where our crops 

 are not almost killed by drought, they are diminished so great- 

 ly according to location, that our loss is everywhere, but only 

 in a varying degree. After having passed much time in ma- 

 turing our plans for the season's work 5 after having given 

 much time, labor and money to preparing our manure heaps, 

 adapted to the requirements of our different crops, and have 

 prepared, planted and cultivated the latter, is it not truly dis- 

 couraging, indeed is it not truly a sad sight to see the results 

 being burned up, or very greatly diminished, by excessive 

 droughts ? 



Fortunately the farmer is not so easily discouraged, as one 

 might infer from my picture; and the knowledge of the many 

 blessings that the farm affords, with its independent, yet re- 

 sponsible life, tide over all disappointments as to small crops, 



