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Cultivation. — The method by which the most judicious and appropri- 

 ate culture may be applied to these lands, is a question of the greatest 

 practical importance. The fact, I think, is established, that they possess 

 most of the essential inherent properties necessary to successful tillage. 

 They are of sufficient natural fertility ; they are warm, genial and perfectly 

 underdrained. The abundant crops they yield, afford the most conclusive 

 attestation of the correctness of this opinion. It is undoubtedly true that 

 they require, or like most other lands are greatly benefited by the appli- 

 cation of manures ; but it is not true that an excessive quantity is neces- 

 sary to render them productive, or that the effect of manure ^is not endu- 

 ring. Land which, for a series of years, will yield an unusually large 

 burden of hay, without the use of stimulating ingredients, must be esteemed 

 congenial to grass. Soil which returns an abundant crop from the mode- 

 rate application of manure, as was illustrated in the corn and potato crops 

 on Mr. Wilson's farm, will amply remunerate a large disbursement for that 

 purpose. I saw a heavy corn stubble in the autumn of 1859, on the land 

 of Mr. Bridger, which indicated a most vigorous crop, that he assured me 

 was raised with no other manure than a little poudrette in the hills. The 

 fact is not controverted that the plain land, when first cultivated, requires 

 a small application of manure to correct its natural sourness and inertness, 

 and to stimulate it into activity. The soil feels the influence, and amply 

 returns the expenditure. The remarkable crops I saw upon the plains 

 were, in no instance, secured by an extravagant outlay for fertilizers, and 

 no greater than every provident farmer would desire to effect a remunera- 

 tive result to his labors. Fifteen loads of barn-yard manure to the acre, 

 seems to be regarded as an abundant application. 



The clover culture I regard to be the instrumentality which is calculated 

 the most certainly to advance the agricultural prosperity of this territory. 

 The soil is adapted to it; and the mild climate, frequent rains, and moist 

 atmosphere, will always maintain the crop in a vigorous and thriving con- 

 dition. I have seen nowhere, more beautiful and prosperous clover crops 

 than I met with on these plains. The same natural causes will cherish the 

 culture of other grasses. Gentlemen assured me that the wild grasses on 

 Hempstead Plains, are as enduring as any other grasses, and retained, 

 throughout the summer, their freshness and nutrition. 



A rotation of crops, based on the clover culture, is, I have no doubt, 

 the most certain system by which the permanent improvement of the soil 

 may be effected. The exemption of the land from stones and large stumps, 

 the ease with which it can be tilled, the mildness of the climate, and the 

 additional time this circumstance affords for labor, are all highly important 

 inducements for the cultivation of these lands, and should be considered in 

 deciding upon a system of tillage. I am confident that their successful 

 cultivation does not necessarily demand any extraordinary investment of 

 capital or extravagant disbursement for fertilizers, but that this result may 

 be attained by common means, guided by a judicious and intelligent 

 husbandry. 



