98 



FARMS. 



the seven years that my orchard has been transplanted, 

 I have kept the ground in a state of constant cultivation, 

 varying the produce from roots to grain. I have 

 annually washed my trees with a strong solution of soap 

 suds. I have also, in the neighborhood of my build- 

 ings, by the road sides, transplanted thirty-nine maple 

 trees, which will soon make an ornamental appearance, 

 and afford an agreeable shade. 



When 1 took possession of my farm, it was as destitute 



of fences of every kind, as it was barren of cultivation ; 



I have now completed 317 rods of stone wall, all laid 



by myself, which I regard as the most durable and 



effective defence against the inroads of neat cattle or 



horses. The stones for this wall I have taken from my 



mowing and tillage fields ; but as many large ones, not 



wanted for this purpose, and still above the surface of 



the soil, remained, to the great annoyance of the plow 



and scythe, I have, by excavations, sunken these stones 



below the reach of the plow, and given an even and 



smooth plain to lands that were dotted with the most 



formidable incumbrances against which a New England 



farmer is called to labor. While, then, by a careful 



cultivation, I have brought my grounds from a cold and 



profitless state into one of gratifying thrift, I have 



greatly reduced the labor of tillage and harvest, by 



eradicating from their surface every species of wild root 



and bush and stone, by which it had been profusely 



overspread. 



Notwithstanding the increase that I have made to 

 my estate, by my agricultural improvements, I have 

 realized enough from my labors to liquidate all my 

 debts and to invest a small amount in security loans. 



