32 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



aggregate amount awarded for reclaiming meadow and swamp 

 lands in the State, during the past year, was but $142 ; for 

 draining, but $15 ; and for experiments with manures, but $62 ; 

 while the amount awarded for ploughing at the exhibitions was 

 $909,14 ; and the aggregate amount awarded for objects which 

 were not in any way connected with agriculture, like pin cush- 

 ions, baby jumpers and rabbits, was no less than $1,591.63 ; and 

 yet these last are but the objects of a day, while premiums given 

 for reclaiming waste and unsightly lands, meadows, swamps and 

 pastures, for planting ornamental trees, orchards or forests, add 

 not only to the future wealth and prosperity of the State, in 

 so far as they themselves go, but they place examples of thrift 

 and improvement before the eyes of many whom the influence 

 of the society cannot otherwise reach, who stand aloof from the 

 exhibition, but who, seeing the complete success of an experi- 

 ment in draining or reclaiming a bog, would be led to go and 

 do likewise ; and «o the influence goes abroad, unseen, unfelt 

 at the time, but none the less active and powerful, working a 

 gradual revolution, drawing in, unconsciously, even those who 

 do not believe in associated effort, and thus accomplishing the 

 real and ultimate purpose for which an agricultural society is 

 established, and patronized by the government. 



Let the societies all give a powerful impulse in this direction, 

 by the offer of large and generous premiums for the encourage- 

 ment of permanent improvements like reclaiming waste lands, 

 and the transplanting of fruit and ornamental trees, or other- 

 wise, and a few years would show what each society had done ; 

 the influence would be seen, our agriculture would be vastly im- 

 proved, beautiful trees would adorn our villages and homesteads, 

 and the country would be more attractive to the young, and 

 farming, more agreeable and productive. — Ed. 



ESSEX. 



Fi-om the Ptc.port of the Comhiittee. 



Your committee are of opinion that Mr. Payson's statement 

 relates with remarkable exactness the details and result of a 

 very interesting experiment. It shows how meadow lands may 

 be reclaimed by persons who cannot afford to make expensive 



