366 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



mentioned the fact, that Shin brook, which rises in Shin pond, a 

 few miles cast of the dam, and about on the same level, and run- 

 ning westerly across the range of the slate strata, finally makes a 

 plunge in a cascade of more than seventy feet, before it can mingle 

 with the Seboois waters below, to which river it is a tributary. 



Hay brook Farm and Seboois Farm. 



Two large farms were some years ago cleared up and established 

 in this vicinity, which afford both a criterion by which to judge of 

 the quality and productiveness of the soil, and also very conven- 

 ient accommodations and houses of entertainment to any who may 

 be led by business or pleasure into this section. 



A few miles before you come to the Seboois river, as you come 

 in from Patten, you leave the Horseback by a road leading north- 

 westerly, which brings you to Frye's farm or Hay brook farm. 

 This is a large interval in the bend of the Nutupsemic stream, 

 commonly called " Hay brook." (Almost ever}'' small stream 

 where the wild grasses maj'' be cut is called by lumbermen Hay 

 brook.) 



At this time the farm was under the care of Mr. Silas Coburn, 

 whose family consisted of his wife and son. The soil and land 

 adjacent is made up principally of drift from the mountains at the 

 north-east. There are several terraces or steps. The lowest, lying 

 on the margin of the stream, is of finer deposit and contains sev- 

 eral beds of grey clay of strong tenacity, and of • excellent quality 

 for bricks or coarse pottery. It is frequently overflowed, and too 

 low for cultivating, but very productive in grass. The next higher 

 step is of coarser material and contains gravel and pebbles, but is 

 easily cultivated. Still further back on more elevated land are 

 found boulders of conglomerate and occasionally fragments of 

 Oriskany sandstone containing spiriferae and other fossils. 



In good seasons, one hundred tons of hay are cut on tliis farm, 

 which, when lumbering business is brisk, finds a ready market as a 

 supply for the teams during the winter. There were kept here, 

 last winter, thirty-four head of cattle which are now pastured in 

 the meadows and forest lands on Hay brook above the farm. 



Passing onward westerly, by a very decent road over the Seboois 

 bridge, and six miles from it you come to the " Seboois House" 

 farm. Here is a large farm cleared several years ago by Mr. Jos. 

 Twitchell, then of Oldtown, who built a large tavern house and 



