164 PLYMOUTH SOCIETY. 



it is supposed, in greater and more beautiful variety, if more 

 ample encouragement were given. It is obviously impossible 

 to frame any system which will be accordant with the views 

 and interests of each individual. The leading object of an agri- 

 cultural society manifestly should be the preparation of fields for 

 the production of choice fruits and vegetables. For the exhibi- 

 tion of such articles, we should rejoice to pay more money, if it 

 were in our power to do so without any neglect of the founda- 

 tions of their production. 



We have seen with great satisfaction the origin of a Horticul- 

 tural Society in the county, and hope it will ere long be pos- 

 sessed of funds sufficient to encourage the exhibition of all 

 choice products. 



MORRILL ALLEN. 



Paul Hathaway" 1 s Statement. 



The bush pasture that I have entered for premium I pur- 

 chased in the year 1802 ; the former owner had repeatedly cut 

 the bushes, and I followed his example forty years. The 

 bushes were alder, black and swamp whortleberry, with some 

 laurel. In 1842, I put in the plough with six oxen and a horse, 

 subdued three acres, for which I have received a premium. In 

 the year 1845, I ploughed one other piece containing three 

 acres and 102 rods; in 1846, cross-ploughed the same; be- 

 ing very rocky, it was but partly subdued. Then with iron 

 bars and hoes, removed the rocks, dug up the bushes, and 

 seeded it with grass-seed at the expense of nine days work to 

 the acre. Isaac Pratt had the stone ; he called them 300 tons. 

 When I commenced cutting the bushes, it was with the expecta- 

 tion of destroying them, but I was sadly mistaken. The few 

 spots of grass gradually disappeared until there was only a small 

 portion amongst the bushes of what we call neck or white oak 

 grass. The tops of the bushes I could keep down, but a root 

 I could not destroy. 



Middleborough, SejH. 29, 1847. 



