170 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



sand and seeded to grass. This year I cut two heavy crops 

 from it. 



I have removed boulders enough from my fields to lay about 

 twenty rods of wall, and as I had no place of my own to build, 



I gave them to my neighbors. I have taken out the last stone 

 that was in the way of the mower. As I have no muck, I use 

 sand instead mixed with manure, and think it works well on 

 most of my clay-bottom land. I hire no help, but do my own 

 work by exchanging with neighbors. 



My gross sales for 1869, were $423.30 ; for 1870, $801.94 ; 

 for 1871, about $400. 



Daniel S. Eaton. 



BERKSHIRE. 



From the Report of the Committee. 

 The total number of entries in our department this year was 

 81, divided as follows : 39 farms, 20 dairies, 6 apple orchards, 



II collections of fruit trees, and 5 reclaimed lands. In the first 

 place we desire to say that we are satisfied that the premiums 

 offered in this department, especially those for the best managed 

 farms, are exciting a very healthy influence on the agriculture 

 of the county. We notice a very decided improvement in the 

 management of the farms that have come under our inspection. 

 Buildings and fences have been put in good repair, cleaner and 

 more thorough cultivation has been introduced, better stock is 

 kept, and an air of neatness and thrift characterizes the farmers' 

 premises. IIow much of this improvement is due to the stimu- 

 lus furnished by the offer of premiums, and how much to the 

 general spirit of progress which is abroad in the land, we do not 

 pretend to know, but that there is a generous emulation 

 among the farmers of the county is very manifest, and it is 

 equally manifest that it is in part due to the annual examination 

 of the farms by this committee, and to an ambition for the 

 honor which the award of the premiums confers. 



We have been particularly gratified the past summer in notic- 

 ing the many commodious and convenient barns that have 

 recently been erected in the county. Of these the largest, and 

 one of the most perfect for ordinary farm purposes, is that of 

 Mr. Charles A. Howland of Adams. This barn is 173 feet long 



