FARMS. 179 



extracts it will be seen that we only pursue the methods which 

 the aborigines invented, at a time when their civilization had 

 reached a higher point than is usually assigned to them. 



"We take this opportunity to return our thanks to numerous 

 individuals, who have forwarded our objects by their readiness 

 in furnishing the desired information. Wherever we have been 

 we have met with a welcome reception and generous hospitality. 

 We have formed a higher opinion of agriculture from our more 

 intimate acquaintance with those engaged in it. Foremost in 

 importance among industrial pursuits, it will be foremost in its. 

 pecuniary returns, when the same accurate knowledge and 

 careful oversight are applied to, it, which are found indispensa- 

 ble in manufactures and commerce. 



John M. Merrick, Chairman. 



Report of the Committee on Farms. 



The committee on farms are happy to have it in their power 

 to state that they have not been permitted, during the past year, 

 to be idle or unoccupied in their official capacity. They have 

 been invited to visit two farms. They complied with the re- 

 quests that were made. Accordingly on July the 8th, the com- 

 mittee, at the request of the Hon. S. D. Bradford, of West 

 Roxbury, visited his farm. They had the pleasure of meeting,, 

 on that occasion, the president of the society, the Hon. M. P. 

 Wilder, some of tlie vice-presidents, and other gentlemen, 

 friends of the cause of agriculture. 



For a brief history of the farm and an acount of its manage- 

 ment and productions, we refer to the communications of Mr. 

 Bradford, appended to this report. 



The committee, therefore, in this connection, remark gen- 

 erally that the principal production of Mr. Bradford's farm, is 

 hay, for which the soil seems peculiarly well adapted. At the 

 same time, valuable crops of grain are raised. One field of rye 

 was remarkable, both for quantity and quality. As a particu- 

 lar account of this may be given by the committee on grain 

 crops, we refer to that report, for the purpose of showing what 

 we consider an important fact, namely, that grain crops may be 

 made profitable in Norfolk county. 



