FARMS. 



of the war of independence. The country 

 through which I passed, and as far beyond as 

 the eye could reach, was extremely fine, studded 

 with farm-houses built of wood, roofed with 

 blue shingles in the form of slates, and gaily 

 whitened. These houses, I was told, will last 

 150 years. 



The farms seldom exceed from 100 to 300 

 acres, and they are all occupied by the pro- 

 prietors. The fields are small, and enclosed 

 with rude stone dikes. From the opportuni- 

 ty I had I could not well judge of the quality 

 of the soil, but the grass lands were evidently 

 only recovering from the effects of a severe 

 winter, and vegetation seemed more backward 

 than in Britain. 



I could not discover any appearance of a re- 

 gular system of farming. The implements of 

 husbandry were clumsy and uncouth. Oxen, 

 seemingly of the large red Sussex breed, ap- 

 peared to be chiefly used in agriculture, but 

 from the lateness of the season and the want 

 of keep, no stock was to be seen in the fields. 

 In Boston they have an active well-bred sort 



