1840.] SENATE— No. 36. 221 



I estimate at $35. In the spring, as soon as the frost began to come 

 out of the ground, I commenced harrowing the land. The sods being 

 fastened down by the frost, and the harrow passing over the upper 

 side; they mouldered away as fast as the frost would admit; and when 

 the harrow had got to the depth of the sods, they were worked up 

 pretty fine. The frost below facilitated the passing of the teams. This 

 part of the expense I estimated at §12. About the first of May, I 

 began planting the potatoes, without any manure. I cut the seed very 

 fine, and planted them near together. I merely marked the hills with a 

 hoe; then a man followed after with the seed; then another to cover 

 it. I calculated to have the seed one inch from the surface. I used 

 89 bushels of seed. I should not have seeded so light, had it not been 

 for the uncertainty of obtaining a crop without the use of manure. 

 There was but one man who gave me any encouragement. Many said 

 I should lose my labor. But to their astonishment I harvested 927 

 bushels of excellent potatoes. The expense of planting, cultivating 

 and harvesting this crop, I estimate at $117. My land is now in a 

 condition that I can plough it when I please. On a small piece, I 

 planted corn, without manure, and it ripened well. I sowed a small 

 piece with wheat, but it did not come to any thing, either in the straw 

 or grain. 



The wood procured from the stumps and logs, I made into charcoal. 



In 1S37, I coaled 1201 bushels, which sold in market for §166 40. 

 Expense of coaling and marketing $40. In 1838, I coaled 4200 

 bushels, which sold on the hearth for $333 33 ; but I afterwards ascer- 

 tained from the purchaser, that it sold in Boston market for $630. 

 The expense of coaling this lot, I estimate at $100. I sold wood to 

 the amount of $50. 1 estimate the fuel that I used on my own fire to 

 have been worth $50 more. I have on hand 100 cart loads of the 

 bottom of the coal pits, which I value at $75, having some knowledge 

 of its virtue as a manure. 



The result may be stated as follows, viz. : 



Proceeds of coal in 1837, $166 40 



1838, 333 33 



Value of crop of potatoes, 027 bushels, . . 463 50 



" the remains of the coal pits, . . 75 00 



'• wood sold, 50 00 



" fuel used, 50 00 



Increased value of land, the same being now esti- 

 mated at $125 an acre, .... 565 00 



Gross amount of receipts, .... $1702 23 



