Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1867-08-02
ADVANTAGES OF GOOD FARMING.

A correspondent of the EeU England Far
n,er gives an account of a Massachusetts farm
as an illustration Of what may be done with
worn out" farms by young men with no
other means than health, industry and agri-
cultural education. The farm consisted OF
two hundred acres, and was run down so low
as barely to yield enough to keep three COWS,
one yoke Of oxen and horse. Mr.. Richard.
ardson, the purchaser, had been employed
upon the farm, working by the month during
the summer months, and teaching school dur,
ing the winter months, but never receiving,
in either capacity over $13 per month. He
purchased the place, subject to the widow S
thirds four years before he occupied the
house, though he cut the hay and managed
the farm with view to its future improve
ment, so far as he could while working most
of the time for others
son coming into full possession, he began
with four cows and pair Of oxen, in addi-
ton to the six head previously kept by the
widow. For the purpose of increasing his
manure heap he kept great number OF
swine, and increased his stock of cattle as far
as he could, until ho was able to count forty
head, the largest number he has ever owned
usually keeping about thirty, with from eight
to twenty-eight swine. He has tried the
Durham, Dutch, Jersey and native, and gives
the preference to the Durhams, and their
grades with the native stock. He has always
raised his own COWS, believing this the cheap
est way Of securing those of superior quality
for his purpose, which ia mainly butter ma
king.
"a peat meadow of about twenty-four
acres has been thoroughly reclaimed. Ori-
ginally it was so soft that man would be
lucky to cross it and not sink up to his waist.
The grass was cotton top interspersed with
flags, such as are used in coopering, and
some cranberry vines. The quality of the
mud was such that if load of gravel was
carted on in the winter, herdsgrass would
spring up the next year, wherever it was
spread. On draining this swamp it settled
three feet. Twelve acres have grown up to
wood; before it was drained the pines would
grow to the height of mans shoulder, and
then fall down. Twelve acres have been cul
tivated, and year before last portion of this
produced corn at the rate Of about seventy.
five bushels to the acre. In the process OF
reclaiming this meadow there we're on three
or four acres about forty cords to the acre OF
ash, pine and maple logs dug out-some of
which measured two feet in diameter. They
were completely buried in the mud. The
roots, stumps and logs at the surface were
completely rotted. at the depth of four feet
the peat is red and hard. Among the curl.
osities found were perfect leaves Of birch,
ash and cranberry vines, and one perfect
cranberry has been preserved that was found
four feet from the surface.
''The hay annually cut on this farm is
about seventy tons, and all of good quality,
none being poor meadow.
There are two and half acres of peach
trees in ore orchard, FIVE years old; all of
which are now in fine condition, and promise
to bear abundantly. There are also six acres
more set among apple trees in another or.