41 



whole of the manure is charged to the cuhivated crops, wo mean cul- 

 tivated in this case in distinction from grass crops. But it will be 

 seen, at the same time, that the benefit of the manuring is felt in the 

 grass as well as the grain crops. In order to judge of the profits of 

 cultivation, it is proper to take into view the whole rotation, — say, of 

 five or six years ; as, for example, coin, oats, grass three years ; or 

 the following, which is an approved rotation : corn, oats with clover 

 and plaster ; then wheat ; and grass three years. Now, what is the 

 usual return of grass ? I have stated the amounts reported to me ; 

 but I will here repeat them as given. In Pittsfield 1 and 2 tons to 

 the acre. Sheffield, 2 tons, and 2i tons ; 4 acres yielded 12 tons ; 

 5 acres yielded 15 tons. West Stockbridge, 2 tons. In Slockbridge, 

 from 60 acres of alluvial land a crop, averaging 2^ tons of hay, has 

 been repeatedly obtained. From 3 acres of land belonging to a highly 

 intelligent and successful cultivator, whose lamented decease oc- 

 curred the last summer, ten tons were obtained ; and this, too, from 

 land redeemed from coinparative worthlessness by his excellent man- 

 agement. Other reports give 2 tons to an acre ; one case an alluvial but 

 cultivated meadow ; the other i;pon some of the high lands in this fer- 

 tile town. In Egremont, li ton. In Lee, 1^ ton. I might ex- 

 tend these returns, but it is not necessary. In estimating the returns 

 of land, after obtaining the results of grain or cuhivated crops, then 

 add the grass of three years, averaging for the time, 1^ ton to the 

 acre. Deduct from these returns the cost of getting the hay, which 

 is generally estimated at $1 75 to $2 per ton, and the interest of the 

 value of the land. Suppose the return in hay to be Ij ton per acre, 

 at $8 per ton ; and in no part of Berkshire is it estimated at a lower 

 rate ; the amount would be ^12. Then the cost of making the hay 

 is $3 ; and the interest upon the value of ihe land, at ^40 per acre, 

 is $2 40 — leaving |i6 60 as the net return each year of the land in 

 grass. This is a low estimate of the value of hay ; and a liberal 

 charge for expenses. The hay, likewise, is presumed to be con- 

 sumed on t le place ; and there is, therefore, no loss of manure, as 

 when the hay is sold from the farm. 



The method of cuhivaiion adopted by one farmer in Egremont de- 

 serves, perhaps, a particular notice. Ilis farm consists of six hun- 

 dred acres, three hundred and fifty of which are under improvement. 

 The soil rests maioly on mica and argillaceous slate. The growth ie 

 6 



