171 



of the scythe, so that the scythe does not become loose by the 

 wearing away of the wooden mortice, as was formerly the case ; 

 in so fitting the nibs or handles that they can be loosened, or 

 driven tight, or removed one way or another, or placed at any 

 inclination, at pleasure, and this without the trouble of move- 

 able wedges ; and in so fitting the bottom of the handle to the 

 snaith, that the strain is brought upon the snaith instead of the 

 iron, which passes through the handle, and is therefore much 

 less liable to be broken. 



Students of the school, above spoken of, are often employed 

 in this shop in diff'erent operations, at ten cents an hour. They 

 are at liberty to work three hours a day, and may still keep up 

 with their classes. Some of the students in this way defray 

 all their expenses. 



Two lads were pointed out to me, then at work rubbing the 

 snaiths with sand paper, who earned in the shop the last year 

 one hundred and fifty dollars. They were brothers, one sev- 

 enteen years old, the other younger ; and were the children of 

 a deranged parent, Avho was unable to provide for them. This 

 was a beautiful example of most commendable industry, and 

 evinced their worthiness of the education they were seeking. 



XXII. Price of Land. — 1. The alluvial meadow land in 

 Deerfield, that which is of the best quality and annually flood- 

 ed, commonly when sold commands one hundred dollars. If 

 very favorably situated, it would bring a much higher price. 

 The price of good pasture land, in the interior of the county, 

 is from ten to fifteen dollars. 



2. In Sunderland, the meadow land of the best quality, near 

 the village, has been recently sold for one hundred and twenty 

 dollars per acre ; farther from the town, land of the same qual- 

 ity commands sixty dollars. 



3. In Warwick, pasturage land is valued at seven to fifteen 

 dollars. 



4. In Gill, the price of meadow land varies from twenty-five 

 to fifty dollars per acre. 



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