85 



This experiment and Mr. Hanson's practice says to the 

 farmers of Essex County, "Grow no less grass, but grow 

 more corn." The most important part of this experiment 

 is in establishing the fact that the productive capacity — or 

 renting value — of land can be raised from the interest and 

 taxes on a valuation of -IIO or less per acre, to interest and 

 taxes on a valuation of stilOO or more per acre, and that 

 ensilage corn can be made to more than pay the expense 

 of the rise. 



On this field of seven or eight acres, part of it planted 

 three years and part two, Mr. Hanson's statement shows in' 

 addition to the increased value of the land, a profit of 

 $299. Now if we look at this experiment as designed to 

 put this land in tillable condition and nothing more, de- 

 pending mainly upon ensilage corn as the motive power, 

 the account would close with the drawing of the stones in 

 the fall of 1884. The land was then in condition to plow 

 with horses and prepare for sowing grass seed. This 

 work, 1)96, and $105 for manure, $25 for grass seed, and 

 $1.50 for sowing grass seed, should be charged to the future 

 grass crop, rather than to the improvement account. This 

 way of making up the account gives a profit of $552.50 in 

 addition to the increased value of the land. 



Ansel W. Putnam, for the Committee. 

 Asylum Station. 



statement of clement r. hanson. 



Salem, June 5, 1885. 

 Gentlemen : 



This is a statement concerning a certain piece of land 

 herein described which I wish to enter for the premium of- 

 fered by the Essex Agricultural Society, for the Improve- 

 ment of Waste Land. 



The piece of land above mentioned is situated on the 

 Westerly side of Highland Avenue, Salem, on the farm of 



