71 



found here. But if, on the other hand, it is his main object to obtain 

 a comfortable support, and, for a man of moderate desires, a decent 

 independence, what is an inhabitant of Essex County to gain by 

 emigration!. To say nothing of the expenses of removal and the 

 numerous privations and hardships incident to a settlement in a 

 new country ; in point of pecuniary profit we believe that the ad- 

 vantage is on our side. If on the banks of the Ohio he may obtain 

 eighty bushels of Indian corn to an acre, we may easily produce 

 fifty, f he eighty bushels, if he is so fortunate as to find a market, 

 may bring him twenty cents per bushel, equal to sixteen dollars per 

 acre. His fifty bushels here will ordinarily bring him seventy cents 

 per bushel, which is thirty fivo dollars. Labor is nearly as dear in 

 Ohio as it is here, though without doubt the lands are of much 

 easier tillage. One great difference is in the expense and trouble 

 of manuring our lands, for which there will be more than an equiva- 

 lent in the increased value of the crop. Let the farmers of Essex 

 then, according to the French proverb, " if they stand well, stand 

 still" ; and instead of complaining of the hardships of the times and 

 the small profits of farming, let them make the best use of the 

 means of comfort and of bettering tbetr condition, which they pos- 

 sess ; and look considerately on the peculiar blessings of that im- 

 proved state of society in which they live, instead of being dazzled 

 by the bright visions of more fertile soils, and abundant products 

 without labor, which have deluded so many to their ruin. 



It must be admitted that the farmers of Essex County have sin- 

 gular advantages from their proximity to good markets. Their pro- 

 duce they ca-n easily sell for cash.. Haverhill, Andover, Lowell", 

 Amesbury, Newburjport, Sakm, Marblehead, Lynn, and Boston, 

 furnish opportunities for the disposal of our produce at as good 

 prices as are to be obtained in any part of the country. With all 

 this however the agriculture of Essex County is not in an improved 

 condition. Very little is accomplished compared with what may be 

 done. We shall refer to some prominent defects or faults in our 

 husbandry ; and with a proper respect for the judgment of those 

 more competent than ourselves to treat this subject, we will hazard 

 a few hints as matters of inquiry and reflection. 



It must be admitted, in the first place, that there is a great want 

 of system in our agricultural operations. Few farmers lay down 

 any regular plan of cultivation or pursue any regular rotation of 

 crops ; bat appear to be governed rather by accident, or caprice, or 



