VILLAGES. 41 



the manufacturing of straw hats to an immense extent being 

 carried on in this district. 



We passed the workmen employed at the Boston and Wor 

 cester railway, at present in progress, and which, it is said, 

 will ultimately be extended to Albany. Agriculture furnishes 

 little of interest, the soil is poor, and the crops partaking of its 

 character rye being the prevailing crop. Small patches of 

 Indian corn were observed, nearly destroyed by frost ; and the 

 pastures were inferior. In the neighbourhood of Worcester, 

 many of the fences consist of stone walls. Within a few miles 

 of Boston five or six men were engaged in throwing peats out 

 of a bog, seemingly for the purpose of fuel. 



The horses observed on the roads were lean and inferior. 

 Draught oxen seemed in good condition, and of large size. 

 Many of the cows were finely formed, of a deep red colour, 

 with dark faces. Barberry, elder, and aller were growing 

 plentifully in a state of nature. The rhododendron seemed to 

 occupy the place of furze in Scotland the kalmia that of 

 heath. 



