46 



bandry. Grass is every where abundant. The soil is suited to the 

 cultivation of esculent vegetables in the highest perfection. Several 

 increasing manufacturing villages, with their swarming population, re- 

 quire supplies from the farms in the vicinity. Besides this, the great 

 mart of the country, the city of New York, is easily accessible. 

 Most of the farmers in Berkshire can reach Hudson with their pro- 

 duce, by a journey of four to eight hours, and put on board the boats 

 at four o'clock p. m., it is in New York by an early hour the next 

 morning. The farmer usually allows two cents a pound commission 

 for the freight and sale of his butter ; and, upon other produce, it is 

 equally reasonable. He does not return from the river empty ; but 

 carries home a load of plaster, or of articles of necessity for his 

 family. The great roads to the river, after the hills are surmounted, 

 are among the best in the whole country. The rail-road, already 

 open from Hudson to West Stockbridge, will afford to many of the 

 farmers all the facilities they can desire for reaching the Hudson river. 



Produce and Expenses. 



1. Egremont. — I will, in this place, slate, as an example, the opera- 

 tion of a farmer, who resided about twenty-five miles from Hudson. 

 The great object of his attention was the making of butler, which was 

 sold every week in the New York market. 



From 18 cows he sold 2400 lbs. butter, at 23 els. net. With 

 these cows he fed 17 spring pigs until October, whose average 

 weight was 177 lbs. each, half of this pork, say 8S lbs., was 

 to be credited to the cow. He is of opinion, that when pork is 5)^10 

 per ICO lbs., a cow will give at least $8 worth of pork per year. 



Cow, Cr. 

 133 lbs. butter, at 23 cts., (comm. paid,) 

 Pork, .... 



Cow, Dr. 

 Wintering, .... 



Pasturing, .... 

 Salt, ..... 

 Interest on $25, 10 per cent, risks included, 



Profits of a cow, .... $18 S4 



