| An equal weight of hay, at the present price, 25 dolls. would cost | 139 25 |
| Difference, | D.84 25 |
Thou wilt readily perceive, without my dwelling on it, that the above method would answer equally well for store cattle as for horses. By the present mode the corn stalks are almost wholly lost, and a great proportion of the straw trodden under foot in the barn-yards. One benefit that would result from the change of feeding, and which must be obvious to every one, would be its enabling every farmer to keep a larger stock; and thus increase his manure,—the grand secret, after all is said, in farming well, and doing it to advantage.
If it is alleged that my calculation of hay is too high, it may be observed, that the shorts are also estimated at a price higher than they often command in the Philadelphia market. I have known them as low as 20 cents; and 25 cents is a very common price in the fall of the year. They may safely be put in bulk in the 11th mo. and will keep sweet until the ensuing spring.—I have thus hastily thrown my ideas together on this subject. If thou canst glean from them any thing of importance, I shall be glad.
Thy assured friend,
James Canby.
Treatise on Agriculture.
SECT. II.
Of the actual state of Agriculture in Europe.
12. The climate and soil of Great Britain and Ireland, are particularly favourable to husbandry; nor is her geographical position less auspicious—placed, as she is, on the longest line, and amidst the most important markets of the continent of Europe. If to these advantages be added the laborious, enlightened, and enterprising character of the nation, we cannot but expect results the most favourable to agriculture: yet is the fact notoriously otherwise. To show that this opinion is neither hasty nor unfounded, we must enter into details, which may not be unprofitable.