MIDDLESEX SOCIETY. 123 



which, from two to three inches in depth of sand and gravel 

 have been spread on, and upon this, about four cords to the 

 acre, of a compost of night soil mixed with loam, have been 

 spread, costing from three to four dollars per cord, as above 

 stated. The labor to turn over, gravel and top dress an acre of 

 bog meadow, has been about seventy days' work, performed 

 entirely by the inmates of the almshouse. Of the value of 

 such labor, the committee will judge. 



Last season, about three acres of bog meadow were reclaim- 

 ed in this manner, which were mowed the present season, pro- 

 ducing three tons to the acre, of herdsgrass and red top. This 

 year, nine acres of the same description of meadow have been 

 reclaimed in the same way, and seeded down with red top and 

 herdsgrass. 



PRODUCTS OF THE FARM. 



1848. — Corn, none ; rye, about 10 bushels ; oats about 30 

 bushels ; potatoes, about 500 bushels ; English hay, about 15 

 tons ; meadow hay, about 6 tons ; onions and other garden veg- 

 etables, a supply for the family ; cranberries, 60 bushels. Stock 

 kept, 4 oxen, 5 cows, 1 horse, 10 swine. 



1849. — Corn, about 250 bushels ; rye, none ; oats, about 100 

 bushels ; potatoes, about 100 bushels ; white beans, about 20 

 bushels; onions sold, about 60 bushels ; onions and other vege- 

 tables, a good supply for the family and inmates : cranberries, 

 about 40 bushels ; English hay, about 25 tons ; meadow hay, 

 about 7 tons. Stock kept, 6 oxen, 4 cows, 2 horses, 12 swine. 



1850. — Corn, heavy growth on 15 acres ; potatoes, light 

 growth on 1 acre ; rye and oats, none : onions, very fair growth 

 on half an acre ; other vegetables looking well, a good supply ; 

 cranberries look well ; English hay, 35 tons ; meadow hay, 

 10 tons. Stock kept, 4 oxen, 4 cows, 2 horses, 12 old swine, 

 25 pigs. 



The average number of males at the almshouse, who are 

 able to perform any labor, is about 20. This number varies 

 from about 12 to 30, according to the season of the year, there 

 being many more in winter than in summer. 



In addition to the work done on the farm, the inmates have 



