63 



REPORT ON FARMS. 



The Committee have been invited to visit but a single farm during 

 the past year, — that of the Hon. B. V. French, of Braiiitrce. To 

 describe this farm minutely and render a statement, in detail, of its 

 cultivation, its products, its improvements, and their cost, is not, at 

 this time, in our power. Indeed this can be done only by the 

 respected occupant of the farm, himself. Our visit, occupying the 

 greater part of a bright summer's day, was entirely devoted to a 

 view of improvements, made and in progress, which are, at once, 

 upon a grand scale and of thorough workmanship — producing, where 

 finished, results of rare beauty and utility. 



Whoever wishes to see one of the best examples, in our County, 

 of deep and thorough ploughing, trenching, and draining, or to un- 

 derstand the benefit of the practical application of science to labor, 

 so as to give the highest culture and most attractive finish to a 

 once hard, rough and rocky soil, — whoever is curious to know how 

 immense bodies of granite can be expeditiously removed, and con- 

 verted into massive, durable, and well-finished Avails, or laid as cov- 

 ering for drains beneath the surface ; or to ascertain how unsightly 

 and noxious bogs, and well-nigh worthless swamps and meadows can 

 best be turned into smooth and fertile grass-fields, or prolific cran- 

 berry-beds ; or how a barren, sandy hill-side can be covered with 

 nutritious food for cattle, — whoever would gratify his love of horti- 

 culture, and feast his eye and his palate upon dehcious fruits and 

 beautiful flowers ; — whoever asks if it be possible that a fiirm of 

 little promise and many disheartening features can ever be made a 

 scene of beauty, pleasant to behold, easy to cultivate, remunerative 

 of labor and satisfactory in its whole results, let him go with your 

 Committee when next they are invited to visit this noble fiirm. 



Observation afforded us ample proof that here was systematic, 

 intelligent labor, under careful oversight and superintendence ; of 

 liberal outlay for desired results ; of generous confidence in the 

 laborer, and care for his comfort and improvement ; — and in return, 

 of sympathy with the employer and a readiness to meet all his 



