128 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



this partial survey of nearly half the towns in the county, let 

 me hope they will have as little regret for their part of it as I 

 feel for mine, in which case the account will balance well. 



David Choate. 



MIDDLESEX. 



Report of the Committee. 



The committee on farms and orchards report that there were 

 two farms and five orchards entered for premiums, of all of which 

 I have made a thorough examination ; and in this county, 

 which abounds in good orchards and farms, I am sorry to say 

 there are no more offered in competition for your premiums. 



In travelling over our county, I have noticed a rapid improve- 

 ment in agriculture and horticulture, in the large and commo- 

 dious barns and convenient cellars under the same for the 

 storage of roots and manure, the well cultivated gardens, the 

 thrifty orchards, the large tracts of reclaimed meadows, almost 

 rivalling the bottom lands of the west in fertility, the increased 

 attention given to planting trees in our streets, and in ornar 

 menting the old homesteads with the various beautiful trees, 

 shrubs and flowers of our cHmate, thereby making the home of 

 the farmer attractive and beautiful as well as profitable. 



The farm of Mr. George Chandler, of Shirley, I found to be 

 in the following condition : Buildings in good order ; good 

 cellar under the barn, and loam and muck under the same to 

 absorb the liquid manure ; the land divided into convenient 

 lots, and fenced by substantial stone walls ; the mowing and 

 tillage lots cultivated clean to the walls, and no brush or weeds 

 growing near the same ; corn, potatoes, carrots, and other 

 crops, looking very well. If Mr. Chandler's statements are true, 

 which your committee see no reason to doubt, this farm, which 

 he purchased eighteen years ago, and was then in an almost 

 unproductive state, without any, or very poor fences, and cov- 

 ered with brush, the soil filled with rocks and cobbles, now 

 presents to the eye smooth fields, good crops and fences, and 

 would be a credit to any farmer in our county. 



The farm of Mr. L. H. Hildreth, of Westford, was next 

 examined. The soil is a gravelly loam, filled with rocks and 



