FARMS. 163 



is instructive. There is scarcely any way in which a man of 

 wealth and refinement can be more useful to the community, 

 than by " blending a liberal display of elegance and taste with a 

 skilful and profitable husbandry." The introduction of new 

 fruits, new seeds, new trees and improved methods of cultiva- 

 tion, is a boon not likely to be over-estimated. 



Another more numerous class of farmers consists *of those, 

 who, in addition to ordinary farming pursuits, derive fromthe 

 sale of wood the means of cultivating tlieir land. Or they have 

 a cranberry-meadow, or some other special object of interest and 

 profit, from which they gain a living, independently of tlie farm. 

 In some cases, the farm is neglected on account of this extra 

 source of income. 



Another class, quite common in this county, consists of men 

 partly farmers and partly mechanics. They cultivate a few 

 acres, and pursue some other calling during a part of the year. 

 We have often observed that the lands of these men are extreme- 

 ly well tilled, their gardens and orchards in fine order, — exam- 

 ples of- neatness, and producing large returns. 



A fourth class, not farmers, but deriving their support from 

 labor applied to land, is that of the gardeners and fruit-growers, 

 a largo and important body of men. No workers on the soil 

 bring their capital and labor to so good a market as these. 

 They are limited in territory, obliged to do their work thor- 

 oughly, cultivate their land up to the extent of its capability, groV 

 several crops in succession, and realize from a few acres a larger 

 income than most farmers from ten times as many. Many parts 

 of the county are favorably situated with reference to this busi- 

 ness, nor is there the least danger that it can be overdone. 

 Boston, and largo manufacturing and mechanic villages, furnish 

 unfailing markets for produce. The price is always high, and 

 the supply below the demand. The wonder is, that more enter- 

 prising young men do not engage in this business. 



Next come the farmers proper, who constitute the majority of 

 •all that live upon the soil. These are the most deeply interested 

 in agricultural experiments and in the success of agricultural 

 societies. Others have various sources of income, but the farmer 

 must look to his land and labor. Whatever tends to make his 

 land more productive, or to diminish his labor, or to apply it 

 more judiciously, should arrest his attention, and gain at least 



