Rotation of Crops for Dogue Run Farm
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Crops wch will be in each of those fields, in the years
Fields at the head of each column
distingd ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
by Nos. 1793 1794 1795 1796 1797 1798 1799 1800
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
1 B: Wheat Wheat Manurg Oats Manurg Corn & Wheat & Clover
for Manure Potats. Clover
2 Wheat Oats Pasture Wheat & Oats Manurg Corn & Wheat &
B. Wheat Potats. Clover
3 Corn Wheat & Clover Clover Wheat & Oats Manurg Corn &
Clover B. Wheat Potats.
4 Pasture Corn & Wheat & Clover Clover Wheat & Oats Manurg
Potats. Clover B. Wheat
5 Pasture Manurg Corn & Wheat & Clover Clover Wheat & Oats
Potats. Clover B. Wht
6 Pasture B. Wheat Wheat Corn & Wheat & Clover Clover Wheat &
for Manure Potats. Clover B.Wht
7 Wheat Pasture Oats Manurg Corn & Wheat & Clover Clover
Potats. Clover
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
The above fields are not exactly of the same size, but the average of them is 70 Acres—and when cultivated in regular succession, agreeably
to the above course, the annual plowing in each will be, both as it respects seasons, and the number of days required for each working, nearly
as follow.
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
acres Crops Kind of Plowing Seasons at wch these plowings shd be given
in the annually necessary ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Fields growing for these Crops Fall Winter Mar: Aprl May June July Augt Sepr Total
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
70 of Corn Flushing 70 70
& Listing 2 furrows 15 15
Potatoes Crossing to Plant 9 9
Plowing balks
1 25 25
Harrowing 9 9
Roundg with Plow 15 15
Plowg out same way 30 30
Crosg last Plowing 36 36
Levellg with Harrow for seeding 15 15
Sowing Wheat 30 30 60
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
70 15 34 24 30 36 45 30 284
70 of Wheat The above work in quantity, & seasons, does for this Crop
& Clover
70 of Clover nothing being sown on the Wheat in February
for Wht on Clover lay plowed for Wheat in Sepr 70 70
Harrowg in Do 12 12
70 of Wheat nothing being put in as above
70 B. Wheat Plowing as soon as the Wht comes off 70 70
Harrowing before sowg to level the grd 12 12
Harrowing in the Seed 12 12
70 Oats Flushing 70 70
Crossing 70 70
Harrowg before sowg 12 12
Harrowg in the Seed 12 12
70 Pasture to Manure on for the Crop of Corn—nothing
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
490 140 109 34 24 300 130 45 112 624
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
The annual yield of the foregoing fields—cultivated in the manner, and for the purposes there mentioned—may reasonably be calculated as
follow—and it is hoped they will become more and more productive every year, from the mode of cropping them—and from the advantage this
Farm will have in an abundance of Mowing ground—and the increase of stock consequent thereof.
70 Acres in Corn a 12½ bushls 875 Bushls a 2/6 £109.7.6
2
same in Potatoes Do Do 875 Do 1/ 43.15
70 Wheat 10 Do 700 Do 5/ 175
Clover fed the yr the Wheat comes off
70 Ditto Mowed or fed accordg to cir[cumstance]s.
70 Ditto Mowed—½ a Ton pr acre
amountg to 35 Tons a £3 105
70 Wheat 10 700 5/ 175
Buck Wht 10 700 2/ 70
70 Oats 12½ 875 2/ 87.10
70 Pasture to Manure on __________
Total 490 Acs. in 7 fields producing
3 £765.12.6.
The probable consumptn of Corn on this Farm will be—for
Negros 600 Bushls
Overseer 30
Hogs 250
---
Total 880
4
The horses
5 will be fed with Oats & Buck Wheat; the latter chopped at the Mill. Other animals will be supported on Hay, Indian Corn fodder,
and Straw.
Besides the produce of the above fields, there will be three lots adjoining the Barn as may be seen by the plan of about 5 acres each—one of
which will be in Potatoes, succeeded the Spring following by Oats; with clover sown thereon for the purpose of soiling the work horses &ca the
year following
6 & affording good pasturage in the mean while. The 3d year this field will be in prime order for cutting, either for Hay, or for the
purpose of feeding green as above, to the horses. The other two fields follow the same course in Rotation.
When No. 5 is cultivated in Corn & Potatoes in 1795, as may be seen by the foregoing table, the woodland part of it (about 15 acres) must
be cleared and tilled in these articles along with the rest of the Inclosure, to replace the difficiency therein, occasioned by taking from it the
ground for the Barn, the Barn yard, and two of the three lots abovementioned for Clover amounting altogether to 12½ acres. 2½ being for
the Yard.
Rotation of Crops for Union Farm.
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Crops which will be in each of those fields in the years
Fields mentiond at the head of each column
distingd ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
by Nos. 1793 1794 1795 1796 1797 1798 1799 1800
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
1 Past[ur]e Mang Corn Wheat Buck Wht Wheat ½ B. Wht Paste
for Manure & ½ Oats
2 Corn Wheat Manug Corn Wheat Buck Wh. Wheat ½ B. Wh.
for Manure & ½ Oats
3 Half ½ B. Wht Paste Manug Corn Wheat Buck Wh. Wheat
Wheat & ½ Oats for Manure
4 Paste Paste ½ B. Wht Paste Manurg Corn Wheat Buck Wh.
& ½ Oats for Manure
5 Wheat Buck Wht Wheat ½ B. Wht Paste Manug Corn Wheat
for Manure & ½ Oats
6 Corn Wheat Buck Wh. Wheat ½ B. Wh. Paste Manurg Corn
for Manure & ½ Oats
7 Paste Corn Wheat Buck Wht Wheat ½ B. Wh. Paste Mang
for Manure & ½ Oats
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
The above fields like those of the preceeding Farm at Dogue run are not exactly of a size, but the average of them is 118 acres and when
cultivated in regular succession agreeably to the above course the annual ploughing will be nearly as follow.
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Crops
Acres acctualy Kind of Plowg
in the thereon necessary for Seasons at wch these plowings shd be given
Fields annually these Crops Fall Wintr Mar. Aprl May June July Augt Sep Total
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
118 Corn Flushing 118 118
Listing 2 furrws 25 25
Crossg to Plant 15 15
Plowg balks 42 42
Harrowing 15 15
Roundg with the Plow 25 25
Plowg out the same way 50 50
Crossg the last plowing 60 60
Levellg with the Harrow for Seeding 25 25
Plowg in Wheat 50 50 100
118 25 57 40 50 60 75 50 475
118 Wheat The above work in qty, & Seasons, does for this Crop
118 Buck Wht Flushing 118 118
for Manure Crossing for sowg 118 118
Harrowg to level 15 15
Harrowg in the Seed 15 15
Plowing in B. Wheat 118 118
Harrowg to level the grd 15 15
118 Wheat Plowed in on B. Wht man[ur]e 118 118
118 Oats & Flushing 118 118
B. Wheat
7 Crossing for Oats 59 59
Harrowg for the same 7 7
Harrowg to cover them 8 8
Crossing for B. Wheat 59 59
Harrowg to level 8 8
Harrowing in Seed 8 8
236 In Pasture—& for Manuring ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
826 354 99 205 99 176 83 193 50 1259
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
When the fields at this Farm (Union) come to be cropped in the order mentioned in the preceeding Table, it is presumed the yield of them
may be estimated as follow
118 acrs in Corn a 12½ bushls 1475 B. a 2/6 £184.7.6
118 Wheat Corn ground
8 1180 5/ 295
118 Buck Wheat for Manure
118 Wheat 1180 5/ 295
59 118 Oats 12½ 737½ 2/ 73.15.0
59 Buck Wht 10 590 2/ 59
118 Pasturage
118 Manuring by Penning &ca
─────── ────────
Total 826 amount of the fields—& produce
9 £907.2.6
═════════════════════════════════════════════════
The probable consumption of Corn on this Farm will be
For Negros 800 Bushls
Overseer 30
Hogs 300
───
1130
Surplus 345
───
Made as above 1475
Rotation of Crops for River Farm
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Fields Crops which will be in each field in the years
distingd at the head of each column
by Nos. 1793 1794 1795 1796 1797 1798 1799 1800
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
1 Paste Buck Wh. Wheat ½ B. Wht Paste Manurg Corn Wheat
for Manure & ½ Oats
2 Corn Wheat Buck Wh. Wheat ½ B. Wht Paste Manurg Corn
for Manure & ½ Oats
3 Paste Corn Wheat Buck Wht Wheat ½ B: Wht Paste Manurg
for Manure & ½ Oats
4 Paste Manurg Corn Wheat Buck Wh. Wheat ½ B. Wht Paste
now 9 for Manure & ½ Oats
5 Past. Paste Manug Corn Wheat Buck Wh. Wheat ½ B. Wht
now 8 for Manure & ½ Oats
6 Wheat Paste Paste Manug Corn Wheat Buck Wh. Wheat
for Manure
7 Wheat Paste ½ B. Wh. Paste Manug Corn Wheat Buck Wh.
& ½ Oats for Manure
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
The above fields, like those of Dogue run and Union Farm are a little varient in point of size—but not essentially so—The average of them is
125 acres. The annual ploughings, when brought into regular succession will be as follow.
10
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Acres Kind of Plowgs Seasons at wch these Plowgs shd be given
in the Crops annualy required for ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Fields growg thereon these Crops Fall Wintr Mar. Aprl May June July Aug. Sep. Total
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
125 Corn Flushing 125 125
Listing–2 furrows 27 27
Crossing to Plant 17 17
Plowing balks 45 45
Harrowing 17 17
Roundg with Plows 27 27
Plowg out—same way 53 53
Crossing the last Plowg 64 64
Levellg with Harrow for sowing Wheat 27 27
Plowing in Wheat 53 54 107
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
125 Wheat The above work 125 27 62 44 53 64 80 54 509
sows this Crop
125 B: Wheat Flushing 125 125
for Mane Crossg for Sowing 125 125
Harrowg to level 16 16
Harrowg in the Seed 16 16
Plowg in B: Wheat 125 125
Harrowg to levl grd 16 16
125 Wheat Plowed in, on B: Wheat Manure 125 125
125 Oats & Flushing 125 125
B. Wheat Crossg for Oats 63 63
Harrowg for the same 8 8
Harrowg them in 8 8
Crossg for B. Wheat 63 63
Harrowg to level 8 8
Harrowg in Seed 8 8
250 In Past[ur]e and for Manuring ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
875 375 106 219 107 186 88 205 54 1340
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
The rotation of Crops at the River farm being precisely the same (when the fields are brought into a regular course) as that of Union farm, it
is unnecessary to repeat the observations, and to suggest the same things over again as are there mentioned; because they apply without the least
variation equally to this Farm. And the lands differing but little in quality the yield—to the Acre—must be nearly the same—as follow. viz.
125 acs. in Corn a 12½ bushls 1562½ B. a 2/6 £195.6.3
125 Wheat in Corn gd 1250 5/ 312.10.0
125 Buck Wheat—for Manure
125 Wheat 1250 5/ 312.10
62½ 125 Oats 12½ 781 2/ 78.2.0
62½ B: Wheat 10 620 2/ 62
125 Pasturage
125 Manuring by Penning &ca
─── ────────
Total 875 acs. in 7 fields producing
11 £960.8.3
═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
The quantity of Corn required at this Farm may be estimated as follow
For Negros 800 Bushls
Overseer 30
Hogs 300
───
1130
Surplus 432½ Mansn He 400
────
Made as above 1562½
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Rotation of Crops for Muddy hole Farm
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Crops which will be in each field in the years mentioned at
Fields the head of each column
distingd ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
by Nos. 1793 1794 1795 1796 1797 1798 1799 1800
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
1 Corn Wheat Buck Wh. Wheat ½ Oats & Paste Manug Corn
for Manure ½ B. Wht
2 Paste B. Wheat Wheat B: Wheat Wheat ½ Oats & Paste Mang
for Manure for Manure ½ B. Wht
3 Paste Mang Corn Wheat B. Wht Wheat ½ Oats & Paste
for Manure ½ B. Wht
4 Wheat Paste Mang Corn Wheat B. Wht Wheat ½ Oats &
for Manure ½ B. Wht
5 Paste ½ B. Wh. Paste Mang Corn Wheat B. Wheat Wheat
& ½ Oats for Manure
6 Paste Paste ½ B. Wh. Paste Mang Corn Wheat B. Wht
& ½ Oats for
Manure
7 Paste Corn Wheat ½ B. Wh. Paste Mang Corn Wheat
& ½ Oats
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
The above fields like those of the other Farms, differ a little in size, but the average number of acs. in each is 64—The annual Plowings in
each when the fields are in regular rotine will be as follow
12
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Crops
Acres growg Kind of Plowgs Seasons at wch these plowings shd be given
in the thereon necessary for ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Fields annually these Crops Fall Wintr Mar. Apl May June July Aug. Sep. Total
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
64 Corn Flushing 64 64
Listing—2 furrows 14 14
Crossing to plant 8 8
Plowing balks 23 23
Harrowing 8 8
Roundg with Plows 14 14
Plowg out—same way 28 28
Crossing the last Plowg 33 33
Levellg with the harrow to sow wheat 14 14
Plowing in wheat 28 28 56
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
64 14 31 22 28 33 42 28 262
64 Wheat The above work puts in this Crop of Wheat
64 B. Wht Flushing 64 64
for Mane Crossing for sowg 64 64
Harrowg to level 8 8
Harrowg in the Seed 8 8
Plowg in B. Wheat 64 64
Harrg to level grd 8 8
64 Wheat Ploughed in, on B. Wheat Manure 64 64
64 Oats & Flushing 64 64
B. Wt Crossg for Oats 32 32
Harrowg for the same 4 4
Harrowg them in 4 4
Crossg for B. Wht 32 32
Harrowg to level 4 4
Harrowg in Seed 4 4
128 In Pasture—& for Manuring
─── ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
448 192 — 54 111 54 96 45 106 8 686
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
The rotation at this Farm being the same as at the last two, in all respects; and the suggestions and observations applying equally to it nothing
further is necessary than to refer to them.
Corn for Negros 450 Bushls
Overseer 20
Hogs 230
700
13
Yield of the foregoing fields may be computed—& the land being indifferent & much exhausted as below
14
64 acs. in Corn a 10 Bushls 640 a 2/6 £80.0.4
64 Wht in Corn grd 384 5/ 96
64 B. Wht for Man[ur]e
64 Wheat or B. Wht 384 5/ 96
32 64 Oats 10 320 2/ 32
32 B. Wh. 8 256 2/ 26.12.0
64 Pasturage
64 Mang by Penng &ca
── ─────────
Total 448 acs. in 7 fields—producing £330.12.4
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Toll Corn received by the Mill will contribute in a degree towards the supply of my demands for this article; but as there are contingent ex-
penditures & waste that cannot be accurately calculated this resource may be placed against them upon a supposition that they will be adequate
thereto.
AD, DLC:GW;
AD (fragment), DLC:GW.
The fragment apparently is missing one page, which includes most of the text in note
13 as well as the last paragraph of the document.
1. A balk is a ridge or strip of ground left unplowed as a boundary between two
furrows.
2. The second AD omits the price and value estimations from the yield
tables of the four farms.
3. On the second AD, this sentence continues, “of Hay & Grain
4725.”
4. An asterisk at this point references the following note: “This being a larger
quantity than the field (which is in this article) is calculated to yield—and as the
Mantion house will have a call upon the different Farms for 1200 Bushls and the
proportion thereof for this Farm to furnish, amounts to 222 bushels it becomes
necesy to give more land to Corn at this place. For this reason, & because the
Mill swamp will not only yield it abundantly, if properly ditched & the se⟨ason⟩
should not prove wet, but by raising Corn therein it will be sooner reclaimed, &
laid to grass; the 2d lot or Inclosure from the Mill road may be applied to this
purpose, provided it cannot be got in order for grass next year without such
tillage. But if it can, then to prepare it for this purpose and take the lot next
above it for Corn & so proceed until the whole swamp is in good Meadow. from the
Mill road up to the tumbling dam.”
5. The second AD adds “& mules” at this point.
6. The remainder of this sentence is not present on the second AD.
7. An asterisk at this point references the following note: “The article thus marked,
is stated as if Oats & Buck Wheat only were to be raised
in that field; but this is done that the Ploughings, and the yield thereof, might
with more ease & certainty be calculated than if the articles were more varient
& numerous. But in Case the field which is designed entirely for Corn is
though⟨t⟩ insufficient to raise enough of that grain for the var⟨ious⟩ uses to which
it will be applied—viz.—Negros & Hogs on the Farm—and a due proportion towards
the calls of the Mansion, which requires 1200 bushels (the proportion of the farm
amountg to 375 bushels.)—part of this field may be thus applied; though it is not
desir⟨able⟩ if it can well be avoided. Parts of it may also be applied (according to
the nature of the soil and the advantages expected to result from it) to the growth
of Potatoes—Turnips—Pumpkins—Pease—Beans or any thing else that requires one season
only for sowing & gathering. the principle if not the sole design being to raise
things which will supply the place of Indian Corn for Horses, Oxen, and Stock of
every kind. and whereas Buck Wheat when designed for a crop is not usually sown
until the beginning of July; and the ground for it according to the foregoing system
is broke up the preceeding Autumn; if there be any Crops, for instance Spring Barley
(if it would answer in that climate)—Flax—& more especially such as would
require working, as Beans, &ca that would come off in time; these might serve to
fill, in part that part of the Field which is allotted to Buck Wheat; but not less
than half the whole field must be appropriated to Oats, as the consumption of this
article at the Mansion house, over & above what is required for the use of the
Farm, will always be great.
“The uncultivated fields in the foregoing course are left for common pasturage—that is—pasturage not sown with grass Seeds. The reasons
are, th⟨at⟩ until they are brought into better condition they would not produce
clover worth cultivating; and the Seed ⟨set⟩ out, would be too expensive for a thin
Crop, which remains only two or three years on the ground; and because they do not
lay long enough uncultivated for Timothy, and such like grasses, admitting they
would yield them in sufficient quantities. Clover lots therfore at each farm (not
less than three, four would be better) of proportionate sizes to the number of P.
horses thereon, must be substituted for the purpose of soiling—that is feeding the
horses with it—when cut green—And these lots ought to be contiguous to the
Stables.
“Whenever the fields shall be so improved by such dressings as circumstances will
admit, and by judicious cultivation, they may be laid to grass; and the rotation
which is directed for D. Run Farm may be adopted at this, and all the rest, as the
most productive with the least labour, and greatest advantage to the ground.
“It will be perceived that the greatest quantity of plowing in the preceeding
estimate, for this Farm, is in the Autumn, and months of April and August; but the
Fall plowing may be extended into Winter: March & May, may participate in that
allotted for April; and September more than probable will share what is given to
August.”
8. The second AD lacks the words “Corn ground” and indicates 10 bushels
at this point.
9. The second AD states a total of 5162½ bushels.
10. The second AD omits the chart and explains: “the course of Crops being
precisely the same as that of Union farm, the plowgs will be the same; differing
only in quantity, proportioned to the different sizes of the fields—that is as 118
to 125. It is unnecessary therefore to calculate in this place the number of days
plowing wch are required at this farm.”
11. The second AD continues this sentence with “5463½ Bushels.”
12. The second AD omits the chart and explains: “The course of Crops being
the same as the last mentioned farms (Union & River) the kinds of plowings will
be exactly the same: the difference in the quantity on it will only be as 64 is to
118 or 125 these being the average of the Fields at the three farms which pursue the
same rotatn. It is unnecessary therefore to give the detail of them.”
13. An asterisk at this point references the following note: “This quantity exceeding
by 60 bushls the estimated Crop of Corn on the Farm—as does that at Dogue Run 5
bushls more than the calculation for that place reduces the surplussage of Union
& River Farms—(viz.—345 at the first & 432 at the latter making together 777
bushls) to 712 bushls and this being short of the demand from the Mansion house
(which requires 1200 bushls) 488 bushels—shews more clearly the necessity of
cultivating some part of those fields which are designed for Oats & Buck Wheat,
in Corn—or substituting some other grounds (not taken into the regular course) for
this purpose: for instance the Mill swamp—until the fields become more productive by
judicious courses & proper dressings. The doing of which, as has been observed
in another place, answers a most valuable purpose besides that of increasing the quantity of Corn; to wit—reclaiming and getting in order this
valuable Land for Grass; with which it is my earnest desire to lay it as soon as
possible; being firmly persuaded that whensoever the whole of this swamp is improved
into meadow and properly divided into lots, that the quantity of Hay which might be
annually sold; the Meats that might be fatted thereon, if thought more eligable; the
additional stock which they would afford means for raising; and the quantity of
Butter which might be made, would go near to double the profits of my Estate.
“Buck Wheat & Potatoes, in lieu of Corn for Hogs, might also be made to
contribute something towards the reduction & demand for this article; of which
it is not my wish to raise more than necessity requires as it is an exhausting Crop
and destructive to land, from the manner of its cultivation.
“The proportion of Corn required from this Farm for the use of the Mansion would,
if each gave according to the size of their fields, amount to 203 Bushels—& the
whole would stand thus
Dogue Run |
Farm |
222 |
Bushls |
Union |
Ditto |
375 |
|
River |
Ditto |
400 |
|
Muddy Hole |
Do |
203 |
|
Total |
1200 |
” |
14. The second AD elaborates this sentence: “But as this farm in its
original state was more indifferent than the others, and has been as hardly used I
do not conceive that the Crops will bear a greater proportion to those of the other
farms than the following.”