Convention—CLOVER, its value. 
169 
under in 1869 to the surface; the result was that we had the p^round 
nicely set to clover again. The oat crop was as good as w^e ever 
handled. The next season we cut two bouncing crops of hay, then 
plowed the ground in the fall. The two following years, 1873 and 
1874, we produced large crops of corn. In 1875, we sowed to oats 
and again seeded to clover, sowing 10 pounds of seed per acre, 
raising a heavy crop of oats, and got a good stand of clover. In 
1876 we cut a heavy crop of hay the latter part of June; also se¬ 
cured four bushels of seed to the acre, later in the season. We are 
all satisfied that that 20 acres is all right, and in condition to cut a 
hay and seed crop from next season. 
On the first day of June, 1872, we turned 80 good young hogs, 
averaging 150 pounds, on 15 acres of that clover that was sown the 
spring before. On the 15th day of September following, the hogs 
averaged a fraction over 250 pounds, a gain of 100 pounds each, or 
600 pounds for each acre pastured. 
On the 25th day of May, 1874, we turned 120 shoats (mostly 
. small pigs) that averaged 100 pounds, on twenty acres of clover 
sown the spring before. On the 20th day of September they 
weighed 194^ pounds each, or 567 pounds gain to the acre of clover. 
June 1st, 1865, we turned 95 head of shoats, that averaged 
126 pounds, on the same 20 acres of clover. On the 1st of October 
they averaged 230 pounds, a gain of 487f pounds per acre. We 
then plowed up the pasture, and it was about as effectually dressed 
with hog manure as one could desire. 
Last spring (1876,) we j^lanted to corn, commencing May 4th. It 
came up quick, and grew from the word “ go,” and produced the 
largest crop of corn, for a field crop, we ever grew in Wisconsin; 
as near as could be estimated, 82 bushels per acre. 
In the spring of 1876, turned 120 fair shoats on 20 acres of clover. 
The value of clover had become so well established with us that we 
neglected to weigh them, consequently are not able to speak cer¬ 
tainly as to definite results; but they would not diflbr materially 
from the preceding years. 
In 1872, sold our hogs for $3.50 per 100 pounds, live weight. 
Having produced 600 pounds per acre, the clover made $21 per 
acre. In 1874, sold for $5.55. Having produced 467 pounds per 
acre, the clover was worth $31.68 per acre. In 1875, sold for $6.60. 
Having made 478 pounds, the clover was worth $31.54 per acre. 
