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it has been in the hands of- various owners, and it was difficult 

 in all such cases to effect any plan of general improvement. 

 Most of the rights have been purchased by some spirited and 

 enterprising individuals. They are ditching and draining the 

 land, clearing up the bushes, and have erected a dam and sluice- 

 gate at the narrow inlet, so as to exclude the river, and will, 

 in this way, bring into productive use an extensive and most 

 valuable tract of land. 



8. Irrigation. — It is to be regretted that there is not more 

 of a spirit of agricultural improvement prevailing in the county 

 than appears ; and that in a region, where water is so easily 

 commanded and where the hills abound with permanent 

 springs, the subject of irrigating lands has not attracted more 

 attention. But I hardly know a case in the county where 

 it has been attempted. The pasture as well as the mowing 

 lands admit in many places of being essentially benefited in 

 this way. 



9. Large yield of Grass. — The largest yield of grass re- 

 ported to me in the county was by Dr. Lyon, of Gill, on his 

 own farm. He states it to be five tons to the acre. In this 

 case the land receives the washings from the house and barn. 

 This is an extraordinary product, but the authority on which 

 this statement rests is entitled to confidence. 



XXI. Miscellaneous Matters. 



1. Manual Labor School. — At Shelburne Falls a school has 

 been established, connected with which are workshops, and a 

 considerable and valuable farm, it being intended that the pu- 

 pils, by devoting a portion of their time to mechanical and 

 agricultural labor, should in this way defray in part the ex- 

 penses of their support and edncation. The number of pupils 

 has averaged, since the foundation of the school, about ninety, 

 and the experiment may be considered so far as successful. 

 The cost of board at the institution is for females, one dollar; 

 for males, one dollar and twelve and a half cents per week, 

 washing not included. The price of tuition, three dollars per 



