31 



I shall now proceed to give in detail an account of a wheat crop in 

 Lenox, in 1S37, by a farmer, whose uniform success in raising wheat 

 is ample proof of his agricultural skill. 



The extent of land sown was 2 acres 60j rods ; the whole crop 

 was S9 bs. 26 qts. On one of the two acres the crop amounted to 

 40 bs. 20 qts. The niode of cultivation pursued by this farmer is 

 somewhat peculiar. I shall refer to it more fully in a subsequent part 

 of my report. At present, I only say, that the land on which this 

 crop was obtained, was the preceding year in corn ; and the corn 

 crop planted on an inverted green-sward. Some of this field was ma- 

 nured in the hill ; and on some of it the manure was spread at the rate 

 of twenty common cart-loads to the acre. There was not a remark- 

 able diflerence between the appearance of that part of the corn crop 

 manured in the hill, or that on which the manure was spread. A 

 circumstance, to which the attention of farmers is particularly invited, 

 is, that in cultivating the corn, in hoeing and harrowing, particular 

 care was taken not to turn up or break the sod from the bottom. I 

 shall now quote from the account given by this intelligent cultivator : 



"About die 15th of April, the corn hills were split with the com- 

 mon harrow ; and ploughed once with great care. A thin coat of 

 barn manure was spread. The manure was principally fresh horse- 

 manure. After sowing and dragging, leeched ashes were spread over 

 that part of the field not manured. Six bushels of clean seed were 

 sown, after having been prepared by soaking in brine from 24 to 48 

 hours, and rolled in finely slacked lime, care being taken to have as 

 much as possible adhere to the kernel. Care was taken to cover the 

 wheat sown before it became dry. After sowing, the ground was 

 dragged (harrowed) everyday for five or six days, alternately crossing 

 the field in opposite directions. Dry light soils are greatly bene- 

 fited by working them while the dew is on. Heavy soils, however, 

 should be thoroughly warmed and dried, previously to working them. 

 When the blade was up two or three inches, a good dressing of plas- 

 ter was given." 



Entire expenses of cultivation. 



1 day with one pair of horses, splitting hills, . . ^2 00 

 J " " dragging, . . 1 00 



2 days' ploughing, at $2, . . , . 4 00 



