154 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



The bed of this stream being solid trap rock, the hardest rock to 

 excavate, the expense must be considerable. Besides this, an 

 impenetrable growth of water-bush covers a large part of the 

 lot ; but there seemed to be no flinching on the part of the 

 proprietor, notwithstanding the obstacles presented. The stu- 

 pendous improvements must be carried through of a necessity, 

 by " Yankee skill and Irish muscle." We hope he will be 

 successful. Mr. Leonard has not presented a statement of his 

 operations. 



The farm of Horace M. Sessions, of South Wilbraham, entered 

 for premium in this class, was visited in the month of June. 

 On our arrival, we were made acquainted with the condition of 

 the farm in previous years, and the improvements that have 

 been making, and his plans of operation for the future. The 

 farm contains one hundred and thirty acres, and. is, to use the 

 common term, a mountain farm. To some, it would appear to 

 be a hard farm, and to others of a less enterprising spirit, it 

 might seem a serious task to make very great or very profitable 

 improvements ; but with the enterprise and skill of the owner, 

 we anticipate great, practicable improvements, especially if we 

 may judge from what has been done and from the execution of 

 his plans for future operations. We noticed extensive and last- 

 ing improvements upon his grounds, in opening ditches and 

 laying underdrains, and in removing stone and building walls, 

 thereby largely increasing the value of the land, and doubling 

 the value of his crops. More of the same kind of work is now 

 in progress, which we doubt not, at the end of three years, will 

 exhibit improvements most desirable in the appearance of the 

 farm as w^ell as in the increase and value of its crops. 



Among the farms entered is that of Phineas Stedman, of 

 Chicopee. This farm is situated in the old town of Chicopee, 

 on the road leading from Cabotville to Willimansett, two and 

 a half miles from the former jDlace, containing forty-seven acr6s. 

 The first business, in reclaiming a piece of swamp land, was to 

 open broad ditches to receive and conduct off the surplus water ; 

 then with a grub-hoe, to cut the bogs which are without num- 

 ber, removing and burning them, when suitably dry, the ashes 

 of which being found quite valuable, and are sown with the 

 srrass seed. The rest of the work has been done with a team 

 and plough, on that part which has already been reclaimed, and 



