63 



had not been cultivated -within the memory of the oldest person in 

 the vicinity, and was covered over with forest trees, consisting of 

 pitch-pine, red cedar, white birch and poplar, together with blue- 

 berry, barberry and fern bushes. It remained in this condition 

 until the winter of 1<S54, when I commenced cutting down the 

 forest trees and mowing the bushes, leaving about fifty of the red 

 cedars standing on the borders of the field ; about three fourths 

 of the lot was ploughed in the spring, and about one half of the 

 whole planted with potatoes, Indian corn, cabbages and early peas. 

 They grew as well as could be expected on land but partially sub- 

 dued and in a rough state. The wood and crops Avere sold ; the 

 proceeds fell short of the sura expended on the lot about one 

 hundred dollars. 



This year the whole of the land was ploughed twice, and well 

 harrowed ; manure to the value of $24 per acre apphed, spread 

 evenly over the land and ploughed in ; in addition to which, 

 manure to the value of $16 was applied to two acres of squashes 

 in the hills, which W'Cre placed eight feet apart each way — making 

 the whole cost of the manure this year $160. 



$469.92 

 I have kept no exact account of the expenses, but believe they 

 will amount to about the same, this year, as the value of the pro- 

 duce, leaving a balance in the two years against the lot of land of 

 one hundred dollars. One acre of the foregomg was sowed the 

 first week in September, with herds grass and red top, and now 

 promises to produce a large crop next year ; the other five acres 

 are in perfect order for any crops. Cheever Neutiall. 



Dorchesler, October 31, 1855. 



