Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1845-09-11
VISIT TO THE FARM OF HON. DANIEL
WEBSTER, MARSHFIELD, MASS.

WEBSTER, MARSHFlELD, MASS
.Manures and Crops. We have already remark
ed that fish and other sea munrres were extensive.
lv used on Mr. Webster's farm. VI the 0enehclal
effects of fish and kop on corr and grass we were
an eve witness A field Of corn OF 10 acres had
been divided into four sections, ana MANFRED as
follows--Ist section with fish 3D. kelp: Sd, stable
manure; 4th guauo. On the first three sections,
the manure was spread upon the sward and turned
under the section where the guano was uPPhou'
was turned over without manure, anu tie wi
dressed with the guano soon aiter IL ".u oPPo"fSu
above ground and second dressing gwen Ut tlie
last hoeng at the rate OF 3OO pounus W 'no uoio
Forty loads to the acre of stable manure, ware uP
piled to the section dressed with that substance
the ouantitv of kelp applied was indefinite, the
ground having been well covered with 1t, without
counting the loads. Fish were applied Mt the rate
of 10 loads, of 10 barrels each, to the acre. Ia
king the field whole, it gave the appearance OF
a remarkable heavy crop. The section manfred
with kelp took the lead that with fish, next that
with stable manure, next; and the section with
guano, behind the whole. The quality OF the soil
of the different sections was nearly equal excepting
that which was guanoed which had the appearance
of inlerorty. The corn on this section, we were
informed by the foreman, looked very unpronfsing
in the fore part of the season, but was now evident
ly gaining more rapidly than that on either OF the
other sections, and he said it was Impossible to
make lust comparison until after harvest.
On moving field we saw the effects of fish that
had been applied since the grass was cut Inc
contrast between that portion of the field which
had been fished' and that which had not was We
ry striking, in the deep green luxurant growth OF
the aftermath on the one, and the usset-brown,
dead-like appearance OF the other But who can
describe the odor which came from that field! All
the old lish-ol stores on Long wharf combined,
you'd not produce the like, or any approach TO II
and the swarms of large green flies that covered
the fences and treesl The plague OF flies IN Il
gypt could hardly have exceeded them in numbers
The docaying fish furnished them rich feast =
Luckily this section Of the farm is remote from any
human dwelling. But however unpleasant this vile
smell from the rottng fish may be to stranger,
person soon becomes accustomed to it, and as the
unpleasant gases arising from the decomposition OF
the fish, said not to be injurious to health, ana
as this manure will double treble his crops, the
farmer should not be deferred from using 1t by the
disagreeabc character Of the smell.
We noticed q small patch of corn in another
place, that had been MANFRED with guano in the hill
and afterwards received fish TO each hill as top
dressing; the corn was the deepest green, and oil
the most luXurant growth.
We have often heard it asserted that fish manure
after exciting the land to produce one or two heavy
crops leaves it in an exhausted state. This opln-
ion is at variance with what we witnessed on pas
ture that had been lished" four years since We
compared it with pasture adjoining, both orig-
nally of the quality Of soil, or differing but
little. The pasture that had been "fished," was
thickly coated with fine grass, and Notwithstanding
the drought, still produced the best Of feed. The
neighboring pasture was dried up, messy, and APP
parently of little value Another pasture was shown
to u.s. which had been MANFRED with fish nine or ten
years since and before the application was almost
worthless; it has since produced excellent feed,
and is now in good heart. These results would
seem to show that fish manure is not so evanescent
as it has been represented by writer's and others.
MIR. Webster said he considered one load of fish
was equal to three loads Of stable manure, and at
forwards appealed to his head farmer for his opin-
ion upon the subject, who thought load Of fish
equal in value TO five loads of stable manure.
Sea-weed is used in the pggery and barn-yards,
and every means of increasing manure from these
sources, appear 10 be avaed of.
Leached ashes has been used to some extent, and
proves valuable manure on the light soil which
composes part of Mr.. Webster's farm. On ten
acre lot Of very light land 5000 bushels of English
turnps were raised last season. with no other ma
nure than leached ashes, and at an expense of only
70 dollars. About four acres OF the same lot were
sown to clover, and the balance with oats, for the
purpose OF blowing in when green to enrich the
soil A very light dressing of guano was given
these fields. The oats were so promising, that
Mr.. Webster altered his mind with regard to their
disposition, and concluded to let them stand and
mature; and on this very light soil, with no other
manuring than leached ashes last year and small
quantity of guano this, now behold, ready for
cradle, heavy crop of oats. The clover on the
other part of the field covered the ground and was
soon 10 be ploughed in, as also the stubble Of
the oats, for seeding down TO rye.
A tract Of ten acres of the same quality of soil
was covered with vigorous growth of buckwheat,
which the ploughmen were engaged in turning I'M
der, preparatory for rye. Another large strip was
devoted to beans, and four or five acres to ruta ba-
ga, sown broadcast and not sufficiently advanced
in growth TO enable us to form opinion of the
probable result of the harvest. A lot of three or
four acres was devoted to mangold-wurzel and SUI
gar beets. In some parts Of the field, the crop had
been thinned by the worms, and causes attributed
to the season the seed--but the plants generally
were thick enough to insure a heavy yield. An
other large section devoted to English turnips,
which Of course, had not yet begun to make much
show.
Fifteen or twenty acres of the farm are devoted
to roots which are fed to the stock in winter. Last
autumn and winter, lot was fed off the ground by
sheep, according TO the English practice.
Spring wheat has generally succeeded well on
this farm, but the present season has been rather
nniavorable. Samples that we examined from the
crop stored in the barn did not indicate very hca.
Wy yield; the grains did not look SO plump as sam
pies we have seen from this farm.
The yield of English hay this season has beer
estimated at about 200 tons. The salt hay is most
ly let out to farmers back from the Shore to cut OF
shares The marshes yield about the same quaint
ty of hay as the uplands The quality of the marsl
hay varies some of it is almost equal in value t.
good English grass, while some is fit only for bed
ding or manure.
The farm appears to be well stocked with apples
pears, peaches, pums, grapes, &c. Among the ap
Piles we noticed the iigh-top Sweeting, variet
that may be found on about every farm in plymouth
county, and in some orchards there appeared to b
an overstock of this ancient and highly esteeme
apple; but we are sorry TO say there is hardly
thrifty tree to be seen; the variety seems to be o.
the decay.
The stock on Mr.. Webster's farm, taking it al
together, cannot be surpassed by any in the State
The last season he wintered about ninety head
The cows are generally of the Ayrshire breed, eli
ther full blooded or mixed. They originated fror
COW imported by the Massachusetts, Agriculture
Society, and bull imported by Mr.. Webster. Thi