Page:Early western travels, 1748-1846 (1907 Volume 11).djvu/247

 Dolls. Cents.

Produce of an acre of Indian corn, 35 bushels, at 50 cents, the first year                              17    50

Ditto, wheat, 25 bushels, at 75 cents, the second year                                          18    75 Value of the acre, in two years                          36    25

Deduct cost                                              20    75 Profit   15    50

In the next two years, the two acres will cost less by 8 dollars 75 cents, which, added to the 15 dollars 50 cents, makes the net profit on two acres 24 dollars 25 cents, besides the increased value of the land.

The proper expenses of a farmer, arriving with a capital of 2,000 dollars, that is to say, his necessary expenses in establishing himself and family the first year:

{255} Dolls.

First year.—Entry of half section, or 320 acres of land                                                 160

House and stable, 80 dollars; smoke-house, pigstye, and henhouse, 40 dollars                                120

Two horses, good, 160 dollars; two ploughs and harness, 40 dollars                                     200

Four axes, four hoes, 16 dollars; waggon, 100 dollars; harrows, 12 dollars                                     128

Spades, shovels, six dollars; two cows, 36 dollars; four sows in pig, 20 dollars                             62

Corn crib and barn                                       60

Clearing 20 acres of land first year, foot and under, and fenced well                                         130

Ploughing, planting, hoeing, and turning                130 -                                                        990 Twelve months' maintenance of family                     250 -                                                      1,240