46 



Whereas, if my land -were worth $500 per acre, I should endea- 

 vor to obtain the greatest possible profit from every separate acre. 



My fences are, generally, of balance stone wall, which cost from 

 $1.50 to $2.00 per rod ; the expense depending much on the 

 location and quality of the stones. 



I have a barn cellar, into which manure is dropped through a 

 scuttle in the usual way, and mixed with loam or muck, and some- 

 times both. The mixture is determined by the quality of the soil 

 on which the manure is to be used. If dry and porous, I prefer 

 muck ; if wet and clayey, loam. 



For topdressing on common soil, I use compost manure ; ap- 

 plying it when the weather is damp in August. The young grass 

 will then soon cover it and prevent its drying. If the land be wet, 

 I prefer green manure. Although approving of high cultivation 

 in general, yet in topdressing, I do not use manure enough to 

 cause the grass to lodge in ordinary seasons. For I believe that 

 hay can be made Avith as little expense, where there is only a ton 

 and a half per acre, as when there is more ; and the quality of 

 the hay will be much better. 



In manuring land for tillage, I would have the manure covered, 

 but left quite near the surface. 



My woodland is quite near home and very easy of access. It 

 consists of hard wood, interspersed with white birches. I cut out 

 the birches once in about twelve years, and remove the Avhole 

 growth clean in about twenty-five years. Of course I get two 

 crops of birches to one of hard wood. 



I plough sward land in August. If too wet for planting, spread 

 compost on the furrows, harrow it in thoroughly and seed down to 

 grass. If fit for tillage, plough cross wise in the Spring ; and in 

 one year, by proper cultivation, the ground will be in good order 

 for seeding down to grain and grass. 



I commonly sow barley, at the rate of 2^ bushels per acre, with 

 herdsgrass and redtop at the rate of 12 quarts each and 3 or 4 lbs. 

 Western clover per acre. The grain and grass seed are harrowed 

 in and the ground rolled smoothly. 



I commonly plough and till only enough to keep land in good 

 condition for grass ; believing that the hay crop is, generally, the 

 most profitable crop in this section of the county. My hay is 

 mostly consumed by milch cows and their milk sold by the year, 

 at the door. 



For corn, I prefer a warm, mellow loam, but plough my fields 

 in course, and plant the whole, even though some portions be not 

 of the most favorable character. If too wet for planting, I man- 

 age as already stated. I plant corn in hills, distance 3| feet 

 apart, each way. Prefer the plough to the cultivator, — unless the 

 land be mellow and very full of weeds between the rows, — because 



