No. 216.] 139 



horse and cow manure,) Avhicb we plowed in about 6 inches deep. 

 The following week it was cross-plowed and harrowed, and seeded 

 down with two bushels of wheat (white Flint,) and a peck of timo- 

 thy seed to the acre, which was all harrowed in. On the 4th day 

 after it was up and doing well. 



The next field for cultivation was one of 7 acres, which the year 

 previous was in corn. This we tilled for soiling purposes, using 

 about one half for corn, sowed broadcast, the balance for oats and 

 millet. The first half we prepared for corn, by plowing 6 inches 

 deep, then manured, with 35 loads to the acre, of cow manure Iresh 

 from the cow stable, which was plowed in and harrowed, then cross- 

 plowed and harrowed, and sowed with 41 bushels of corn to the 

 acre, which was covered by harrowing three times. The balance 

 remained untouched about 4 or 5 weeks, when we prepared it as 

 above, and used one half for oats, sowing 3 bushels to the acre, and 

 on the remainder we sowed millet, 7 quarts to the acre. The ground 

 being in good order, the crops grew rapidly, and soon were fit for 

 the sickle. By the iSth of July, the corn had been cut and fed to 

 our milch cowsj when we immediately plowed and sowed for a 

 second crop (without additional manuring,) and which proved as 

 good as the first. When the first crop was exhausted, the millet 

 and oats were fit for use: ([should probably here state, that we make 

 it a point to have green feed for the cattle the whole summer, and 

 continue as long as the season will permit, beginning with rye, 

 early in May; then cutting clover, then corn, then oats and milletj 

 by which time a second crop of clover is ready, which is followed 

 up till the frosty season stops its growth, it being the latest green 

 feed used in the fall.) I greatly approve of corn for soiling, as 

 two crops can always be obtained, and should we find it advancing 

 too rapidly in growth to be healthful, we mow what is remaining, 

 and spread it out to dry and cure in some convenient pasture 

 field; and after being thoroughly cured, stock it up for fodder in the 

 winter, being careful to salt it well when stacking. When it is thus 

 properly cured, I have ahvays found that the cows are as fond of it 

 as of the best clover hay^ and will yield as much milk. 



The above process of soiling, together with constant pasturage, 

 is the m.aintenance for my cows during the spring, summer and 

 autumn of every year; the cows being stabled at night, each has a 

 feed of Indian meal and cut hay, wet with a pail of spring water. 

 Keeping a dairy of 90 milk cows, (the milk of which is sold in 

 your city,) makes our mode of farming differ somewhat from the 



