MIDDLESEX SOCIETY. 119 



The Poor farm of the city of Lowell, was next viewed. 

 Great improvements have been made on this farm, and the 

 whole system is one of great skill and neatness. The improve- 

 ments consist in clearing the swamp land, and levelling the sand 

 and gravel banks upon the meadow, top dressing it so as to pro- 

 duce heavy burdens of grass, the whole being drained by suit- 

 able ditches. The corn crop on fifteen acres is much larger 

 than any we noticed, is very rank and well set with large ears. 

 The labor on this farm is principally done by the inmates of 

 the establishment. Under its present management, we consider 

 it a pattern worthy the notice of all the cities and towns in the 

 county. Thinking that some good might be derived from it, 

 we requested a committee of the overseers, who met us at the 

 farm, to furnish a statement in reference to it, in addition to 

 that sent us by the superintendent. 



We next examined the farm of L. H. Hildreth, in Westford, 

 which has been in his possession seven years. He has made 

 valuable improvements in setting out trees and grape vines, and 

 has nearly doubled the income of the farm since he came upon 

 it. He satisfied the committee that he was making a good liv- 

 ing, besides laying up a portion for future use. We trust he 

 Avill soon have his farm under such cultivation, as will ensure a 

 more favorable notice of it hereafter. 



George Chandler's farm, in Shirley, was then visited by the 

 committee. His farm is small, and is principally grass land, 

 under good cultivation. He has improved it, by keeping horses 

 to board in winter, and spending all the manure upon the land. 



The committee proceeded to view the farm of Robert Chaf- 

 fin, in Acton, to which was awarded the second premium, sev- 

 eral years ago. They were highly gratified to witness the or- 

 der and neatness with which he conducts his business, and can 

 say all in its praise that has been bestowed upon it heretofore. 

 They also examined the farm of Peter Tenny, in the same 

 town. Several years since, he received the fourth premium on 

 his farm. Subsequently, he has made improvements by plant- 

 ing trees, and has added more to his lands. This, as the com- 

 mittee conceive, is a mistake into which farmers are frequently 

 drawn. We think it better to have less land, with the same 



