limits. Some, however, may have been brought to the mill from adjoining towns, as this was the only mill for this section with a dry kiln to prepare meal for foreign market. This has a greater significance when contrasted with the present custom in vogue of receiving large shipments of grain for home consumption.

Land was prepared for planting corn by forming a ridge with two furrows, leaving the width of one furrow between the rows, which was afterward plowed to the adjoining ridge. Corn was planted with the aid of a hoe, at distances of four feet, allowing three stalks to grow in each hill. The expense in time of cultivating an acre was somewhat as given below:

We find the cost of raising corn to have been from $6 to $10 an acre, for a crop of twenty bushels of corn.

Indian corn has always been a favorite and essential crop in Hamden. The yield per acre may be said to average forty bushels. In 1878 Mr. Geo. W. Bradley sent to the Paris Exposition a remarkably fine specimen of corn in the stalk and ear in one plant, root and stalk, bearing nineteen fully developed ears. This was grown from seed known as "Blunt's Prolific," obtained from A. E. Blunt of East Tennessee through Judge Fullerton of New York. It was much admired in the agricultural exhibit of the United States and received Honorable Mention from the judges.

Hay was not raised for a market crop, and rye straw had no commercial value. Potatoes were only grown for home Much of the cloth was of home manufacture. A mill for the preparation of cloth was then in existence near the site of the grist mill above located. Not much care seems

use.

to have been given to enriching the land. Commercial fertilizers were unknown, and home made manures poorly appreciated. Forest lands were cleared and planted in corn, or sowed to rye; the same crops alternating so long as the yield proved remunerative.

HORSES AND CATTLE.

The first Grand list which is now with the town records is under date of 1844. One hundred and ninety-seven horses were assessed at $6,045, which is an average value of $30.68 cents each. Neat cattle, to the number of 1,208, were valued at $20,036; being an average value of $16.58 cents each; 658 sheep, valued at $1 each.

The Grand list of 1885 gives: 606 horses, valued at $36,950, average value nearly $60 each; 1,124 neat cattle, valued at $25,924, average value a little above $22 each.

Sheep do not retain a separate list, but included with swine are valued at $391, which is believed to be nearly all for swine, as scarcely a flock of sheep is known to be now in the town. The value of sheep now would be no less than $2 each; which shows that we submit to a loss of more than $1,300 in sheep husbandry. To offset this we legalize the keeping of 200 dogs, and receive therefrom $1 each to the town treasury.

We find horses have largely increased in number, and nearly doubled in average value.

Little can be said of distinguished excellence in breeding neat cattle or horses, to the present date. Several herds of blooded cattle have, at different times, been established, but our farmers have failed to avail themselves of the benefits which might accrue by closer application to and study of its merits. Increased attention is at present given to rearing horses, the ultimate result of which can be described hereafter.

The number of cattle has decreased, and average value but slightly increased, while the long teams of oxen, numbering 120 yoke, which formerly graced the county fairs

from our town, are now unknown. The production of milk for the city market has increased the number of cows, and horses perform most of the work which fell to the lot of the patient ox. A change in tools and machines, with modes of labor which are better performed by horses, has no doubt hastened the change; for mowing machines, hay rakes and riding plows have taken the place of scythes, hand rakes and the hand plow. We may note that changes in mode of tilling the soil have come with new inventions for accomplishing the work.

To Hamden belongs the credit of the first residence of D. W. Shares, whose inventions brought radical changes in the cultivation of potatoes, and his coulter harrow has been the basis of most other improvements in that line. His machines under patents dated 1857, and his implements, have gone to all parts of the continent.

FERTILIZERS.

The town of Hamden may also claim what credit belongs to the first great advance in manufacturing fertilizing elements. The Menhaden fish were first successfully treated for the production of oil, and the remaining parts as a fertilizer, by Wm. D. Hall, in 1856, at the old location of the Quinnipiac company. What then went begging a market is now the recognized standard of sources of nitrogen. We may also mention that the heaviest vegetable growth from vines, which is on record, was a pumpkin, weighing 280 pounds, which with another product of 1,200 pounds from one vine, graced our first town fair, held in 1862, and from thence received from Orange Judd sweepstake premiums to the amount of $40, at his exhibition held in New York.

The use of fertilizers has continued to increase during the past thirty years. It is estimated that not less than 500 tons a year are purchased in this town, which cost the farmers more than $15,000. In addition to this we buy large quantities of corn and breadstuffs, and export noth

ing. The census returns give hay as our largest production, which it places at upwards of 3,000 tons. We may also record great increase in fruit culture, and that the year of 1885 was of unparalleled abundance for apples. Twenty-five cents a bushel was paid at the railroad depot for shipping of good fruit, while apples were delivered at . mills for four cents a bushel.

Apple pomace, when pressed without straw, has become of recognized value for feeding stock, superior to all roots except potatoes, which should ensure more care in preserving it, than has yet been bestowed.

VITICULTURE.

Grapes may become a leading industry, but this industry is yet in its infancy. Enough has been done to prove that our hillsides facing south are well adapted to vines, and that their culture can be made a success. Mildew and rot, which have destroyed so many vineyards south and west, have never seriously affected our hillsides, and we may reasonably expect immunity from their ravages.

TOBACCO CULTURE.

Tobacco was first cultivated by Jared Atwater about 1854. In 1856 or 1857, Orrin Crowley and J. H. Dickerman each raised about one acre of tobacco. The quality was good, and full average yield, but want of profit lay in the market. After casing and storing one year we sold it in New York at prices not exceeding ten cents a pound. Not much was grown till 1864. In that season Mr. J. J. Webb planted four acres and built a barn for drying. Wm. Dickerman's crop, raised that season, required the construction of a barn fifty feet long. Hamden planters always missed a good market. Buyers from Hartford county seldom came among them. Twenty cents a pound was about the best price obtained, and the crop seldom sold so high. The last crop was raised about 1870. Doubtless the cost of

growing and handling was much in excess of proceeds. The proximity to sea water causes the leaf to thicken, and white vein usually lessened the value of the leaf. But the great want was buyers to handle and cure the crop. There will be no inducement at present for a revival of the culture of tobacco.

PEACH CULTURE.

Peaches flourished in Hamden until about 1850. The "yellows" attacked trees which came from nurseries, and no measures were instituted to overcome the disease. Peaches thenceforward were mostly known only in remembrance of the past. Some favored localities, prominent among them is the high ridge west of Hamden Plains, and extending north through West Woods, have continued to produce peaches nearly every year. Some farmers have realized sales which would give credit to orchards in the peninsula. Mr. Geo. Northrop states he received $108 for a single load of peaches which he marketed from the farm of Julius Gorham in 1862. The load contained twenty-five crates and twenty-five baskets. Some of that season's crop weighed twelve ounces each.

Doubtless the greatest influence retarding peach growth, has been high prices for other products which were more certain in their yield. Low prices in other commodities have again directed attention to peach raising, as the demand is always large. When we know how many failures occur in the Delaware section of peach growing, and the care necessary there to insure success, we may feel much confidence here if we know and make use of the needed conditions. Native peaches have sold this season for $25% a basket to be resold, with the offer of the same price daily, for twenty baskets of fruit. Such are the capabilities of our town for growing peaches. In 1855 Mr. Wm. Church furnished trees for many farmers in this town on condition that Mr. Church should receive one-half the crop for nine years. It is thought he furnished ten thousand or more