The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1873-09-30
High Farming.

The Country Gentleman contains an
account Of social visit Of the editor to
Mr.. Joseph Harris. near Rochester, SO
well known to the public from his walks
and Talks on the Farm in the Ameri.
can Agriculturist. The description Of
Mr.. Harris's farm and farming is very in.
teresting. From it We take some extracts:
MOreton Farm contains 2SS acres, and
has been owned and occupied by Mr.. Har.
ris about ten years When he first took
possession,it was in u wretchedly neglect.
ed and rundown condition. With so
much to be done in the way IF improve
ment, he has not yet reduced it to SO per.
feet condition as to enable him to adopt
throughout regular rotation. but much
has been accomplished towards that end.
Undertaking was the basis. or rather
the first thing towards Improvement, and
several miles Of tile have been laid. The
land was an exception in that region, in
the amount Of small and large stones dis.
tributed over its surface or sunk into the
soil. Many Of these have been removed,
and rough and stony ground changed to
mellow, easily cultivated fields, aud the
stone placed in handsome walls as farm
fences. Fine crops were seen growing on
this renovated land.
The aggressive department of the farm
management at Moreton Farm, is the war
against weeds. Mr.. H. is determined not
to cultivate them. II part can be de.
stroyed' according to the practice of i'm.
perfect farmers, there is no reason why
the remainder may not, according to the
determination Of thorough farmers. We
saw no weeds lining the fences so common
elsewhere. A 15-acrc corn field which
we examined, had been narrowed four
times over the whole surface when the
corn was small, with a smoothing har
low. and the man who had the field in
charge was then running the one.horsc
cul'ivalor the fifth time between the rows
Such thorough work leaves little chance
f,r vegetable intruders.
The undertaking is done By the hir.
ed men at season when other work is not
pressing The tile is laid from 8 to 4
feet deep in most instances Sometimes
it can be laid only . feet, but deep drainage
Is found TO be best, the soil being mostly
of rather light character. with occasional
portions Of heavy loan. The surface is
undulaIing, and irregular lines are there.
lore generally necessary for the mains.
About miles of drains have been con.
structed, and the descent being quite mod
crate, large tile are required for the main
drains varying from 5.inch pipe to 5.inch,
double 5'inch, and in some cases 10 in.
ches in diamcter-which discharge nearly
full in weather. The result of under.
draining has been very satisfactory. II
one place, on low land, was seen a luxur.
liant crop of oats and peas growing togeth
err; similar crop last year yielded 49,
bushels on an acre. in another place
we saw a remarkably dense and satisfact
DRY crop Of clover, the result of drainage
and thick sowing.
The largest receipts from the farm are
obtained from the sale of Essex pigs. Mr.
Ii. prefers this breed to all others, givinl
better side pork than the Berkshires, ant
not being so restless. lie has at the Pres
ent time about $50 animals. which hav
so high reputation that orders come il
as fast as they increase. Last year hi
sales amounted to $4,000 His treats
"On the Pig" gives therefore his owl
experience.
On the whole, the farming at MoretoI
appears 70 be quite successful. The pro
fits, otter than from the sale Of pigs. ar
fair return from the land aud the COZ
slant increase in the value Of the farm
by no means to be overlooked. 1t wa
bought at comparatively low price, in
rundown condition, and with the improv,
ments has cost $50 per acre, or s22 90
for the farm. 1t is fairly estimated. al
cording to the market price Of adjoinin
land, at $3.50 per acre, or over 40, 00(
Mr.. Harris occupies the dwelling whic
be found on the place, lives as comfor
able country resident. enjoys the produc
of the farm and garden, and the domest
comforts which may be gathered aroun
0 pleasant rural home.