TWO IMPROVED FARMS. 57 



There were but two farms offered the present year for the 

 society's premium, — one by Mr. John Hancock of Barre, and 

 one by Mr. L. E. Hill of North Brookfield. In compliance 

 with the rules of the society, we visited each of these farms 

 in June and September. They showed and described to us 

 their manner of farming, particularly their mode of making 

 and saving fertilizers, and their application to raise different 

 crops. They belong to that class of farmers who believe in 

 applying brain-work with their fertilizers ; they also believe 

 in farm-machinery : consequently, they must clear and smooth 

 their land in order to use the same. They also believe in 

 thorouo-h-bred stock. 



Your Committee think, from what they saw, and what Mr. 

 Hancock explained to them, that very few, if any, farmers 

 within the limits of this society have made the permanent 

 improvements upon their farm and buildings that he has 

 made. Mr. Hancock's statement accompanying this gives an 

 interesting account of his improvements, and his crops the 

 present year. While we saw so much to commend, we cannot 

 refrain from saying that we noticed a lack of neatness and 

 order in and around his barn, which should not be allowed 

 oii a well-managed farm. Notwithstanding, we are unanimous 

 in awarding Mr. Hancock the society's first premium. 



What shall we say of Mr. Hill's farming ? We often hear 

 high compliments paid to a man who by his skill causes two 

 blades of grass to grow where but one grew before. Now, 

 we believe that Mr. Hill has caused tons of nutritious tame 

 grasses to grow where nothing but worthless weeds, rushes, 

 and ferns grew before ; thus he has increased his income, 

 beautified his farm and neighborhood, added valuable acreage 

 to the taxable property of his town. Furthermore, his motto 

 is to push on with the same improvements. Shall we not 

 call him " blessed " ? We were especially pleased with Mr. 

 Hill's management of his crops and herd, but could not ap- 

 prove of his leaving farm tools and machines exposed to the 

 hot sun and rains to become weather-worn. His reason for 

 so doing was, he had no convenient place to house them. It 

 will be seen by his statement, here rendered, that he is en- 

 titled to great credit ; and we unanimously award Mr. Hill 

 the society's second premium. 



For the Committee. 

 8 . J. T. EllswoetHi 



