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green, and much esteemed. A great deal that goes under this name 

 is purchased in the neighboring towns and sold by the Ipswich mar- 

 keters. When taken for sale on commission from Ipswich and 

 Rowley from four to five dollars per ton are allowed ; from Newbury 

 seven dollars. These loads are made up with great care, and fre- 

 quently contain from three to four tons each.* 



The sale of hay is a matter of so much importance to the Ipswich 

 farmers that the greatest pains are taken in curing it. One of the 

 best farmers in the town states, that he gets his hay quite early ; pre- 

 fers to cut it before it is all in blossom rather than too late ; and never 

 permits it, if possible to be avoided, lo be wet by dew or rain. He 

 chooses that it should remain one day in cock. This method is 

 strongly recommended by another fartner of equal skill, who " cuts 

 his grass early, and never suffers it to be wet." 



The yield of hay upon an acre is quite various ; and as it would be 

 very difficult to make a general average, I subjoin statements given 

 to me in different towns. 



In Salem, I ton, 2tons,2i tons to the acre. Beverly, 1:^ ton, f 

 ton. Manchester, 1 to 2^ tons, I ton, 1^ ton, 1j ton. Glouces- 

 ter, H ton, 2 tons, 3 tons. Sandy Bay, 2 to 3 tons ; 14 acres 

 produced 30 tons at one cutting. Ipswich, 1 to 2 tons, 2 tons ; 23 

 acres gave 20 tons. Essex, ll ton, 2 tons. Wenham, 1 ton. 

 Hamilton, 1^ ton. Danvers, li ton. Lynn, 2 tons. Methuen, 2 

 tons. Newbury, ll ton. Amesbury, 2 tons. Marblehead, 27 

 acres produced 57 tons. 



I have many other returns, but it is not necessary to submit others. 

 The average product, according to the above, would be about If 

 tons to the acre. 



The hay raised in Essex County is a source of great income. 

 The number of stage and livery horses kept in the county cannot 

 fall short of one thousand, besides those kept by private individuals 

 for business or pleasure, who depend on the purchase of hay. The 

 price of hay for the last seven years has fluctuated from twelve to 

 twenty-eight dollars per ton of 2000 lbs. It would not be far from 



* The hay and straw brought from Essex County and sold in Boston market in the j'ear 

 1837, amounted lo 2,071,235 lbs. or 1,035 tons, 1,235 lbs. net weight. The amount of straw 

 included in the above, is trifling. 



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