growers of Indiana and Illinois to their cost; but they husbanded and well applied all the resources of their barn-yards.  In consequence of this economy, there is no deterioration of annual averages of their crops to be recorded, as in some of our prairie States, which have been boasting of the natural and inexhaustible fertility of their soil even with the record of retrograde statistics before their eyes.  The grain and root crops are very heavy; and a large business is done in growing turnip seed for the world in some sections of this fen country.  A large proportion of the quantity we import comes from these low lands.

Our host of the Four-Hundred-Acre Farm took us over his productive occupation, which was in a very high state of cultivation.  The wheat was yellowing to harvest, and promised a yield of forty-two bushels to the acre.  The oats were very heavy, and the root crops looked well, especially a field of mangel-wurzel.  He apportions his land to different crops after this ratio:—­ Wheat, 120 acres; oats, 80; rye-grass and clover, 50; roots, 60.  His live stock consisted of 300 sheep, 50 to 60 head of cattle, and 70 to 80 hogs.  His working force was from 10 to 12 men, 14 farm horses, and 4 nags.  It may interest some of my American readers to know the number, character, and cost of the implements employed by this substantial English farmer in cultivating an estate of 400 acres.  I noted down the following list, when he was showing us his tool-house:—­

l. $ l. $
6 Ploughs at 4 each = 20 24 = 120
6 Horse-carts, at 14 each = 70 84 = 420
1 Large Iron Roller and Gearing, 13 = 65
1 Cambridge Roller 14 = 70
1 Twelve-Coulter Drill 46 = 230
3 Harrows at 3 each = 15 9 = 45
2 Great Harrows at 3 each = 15 6 = 30
—–­ —–­
Total cost of these Implements 196l.$980

These figures will represent the working forces and implemental machinery of a well-tilled farm of 400 acres in England.  They will also indicate the amount of capital required to cultivate an estate of this extent here.  Let us compare it with the amount generally invested in New England for a farm of equal size.  Thousands that have been under cultivation for a hundred years, may be bought for 5 pounds, or $25, per acre, including house, barn, and other buildings and appurtenances.  It is a very rare thing for a man with us to buy 400 acres at once; but if he did, it would probably be on these conditions:—­ He would pay 400 pounds, or $2,000, down at the time of purchase, giving his notes for the remaining 1,600 pounds, or $8,000, at 6 per cent. interest payable annually, together with the yearly instalment of principal specified in each note.  He would perhaps have 200 pounds, or $1,000, left of his capital for working power and agricultural implements.  He would probably divide it after the following manner:—­