ON FARMS. 135 



It will be seen by the foregoing statements, that I have not 

 changed any seed or grain sowed the present season, reserving 

 as I have fifty-two and a half bushels of oats, thirty-one bush- 

 els of rye, and more than three hundred bushels of corn, be- 

 sides barley, potatoes, fruit and various vegetables, more than 

 sufficient for use of families, and farm purposes. 



By reference to my daily account of farm work, I find that 

 one hundred and forty-six day's work were performed in dig- 

 ging cellar and well on the island, drawing stone, brick and 

 lumber, for the buildings, and making a new street in Brad- 

 ford village, by the hands employed on the farm, whose wa- 

 ges are charged in preceding account of farm expenses, and 

 which, if deducted, would lessen the expenses and increase tho 

 profits of the farm, more than one hundred dollars. I have made 

 no charge for my supervision, or the labor performed by my son 

 on the farm, but the rent of house, fuel, fruit, vegetables, 

 pork, butter, and numerous articles of family consumption, to 

 say nothing of the satisfaction derived from making not only 

 two, but even three blades of grass where but one grew beforej 

 I have considered a full compensation. In addition to the per- 

 manent improvements made in buildings, fences, &c., I think 

 it will be conceded, that I have increased the productive capa- 

 city of the farm for the year to come, more than five hun- 

 dred dollars. 



My farm, with the buildings erected and repaired since my 

 purchase, and including stock and tools, has cost me about 

 seventeen thousand dollars. Now it will be perceived by the 

 credit in the preceding account, that it has paid an interest on 

 this investment of nearly twelve per cent. The remark has 

 often been made to me by people in my vicinity to this effect, 

 " well, you have got a good farm, and if you get a living from 

 it and pay your expenses, you will do better than any who have 

 owned it before you." Experience has proved the incorrect- 

 ness of this remark so far as it relates to myself. I believe in- 

 vestments in farming, if the business is carried on with the 

 system, energy, perseverance, economy and skill, which char- 

 acterize commercial and manufacturing operations, would yield 

 as profitable returns and with much less risk. This report has 



