110 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



Among these, there is no one that covers so large a space as 

 that of George B. Loring, of Salem, who, having abundant 

 leisure and skill in the use of the pen, will best describe his 

 own works. If we do not mistake, it will be in his power 

 to add greatly to his very valuable farm, by operations in 

 underdraining. 



Our attention has been called by James Stevens, of Andover, 

 to draining operations on about two acres, which, if he does 

 not mistake, have been doubled in value by his drains. 



Some of a different character were presented to our notice 

 on the ancestral Putnam farm in Danvers, by William R. 

 Putnam. Mr. Putnam is a good farmer, carefully understand- 

 ing what he does. We have confidence to believe that he 

 will find his reward in his experiments well begun, and in due 

 time will be able to instruct his brother farmers which of the 

 several modes of draining (for he has tried them all) is best to 

 be adopted. 



It is not strange, when experiments are found to have cost 

 more than they are worth, that experimenters are slow in their 

 commendation of such experiments. All agree that drains, 

 judiciously laid and kept in good order, improve the land and 

 greatly improve their products. 



In view of all we have seen, we are of the opinion that the 

 experiments of Messrs. Loring, Stevens and Putnam, have been 

 " best conducted," and recommend that the premiums be 

 awarded accordingly. 



John W. Pkoctor, Chairman. 



Statement of George B. Loring. 



I enter for premium five and one-half acres of land, being 

 one of the lots which 1 have endeavored to improve by thor- 

 ough drainage. The land is nearly level, and in addition to 

 the water falling upon it in the form of rain and snow, it 

 receives the drainage of a considerable extent of hill-side and 

 slope by which it is surrounded. The subsoil is a stiff, tena- 

 cious clay, very retentive of water, extending to the entire 

 depth of the ditches — how much further I cannot say — without 

 any strata of sand or gravel. The soil lying above tbis is 

 a rich, dark loam, from one foot to eighteen inches in depth. 



