84 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



Feb. 



or just we -will not attempt to decide. Perhaps 

 it was pardonable In one who had spent much 

 time and thought In devising and carrying into 

 operation a plan of his own, which was well adapt- 

 ed to the wants of the community in which he 

 dwelt, and Avhich has proved eminently success- 

 ful. But because his plan was a good one, it by 

 no means follows that no other plan could be 

 good. We will not attempt a defence of the State 

 society, — it is able to take care of itself. The re- 

 sults of their labors constitute their best defence. 

 A part of these results may be found in their doz- 

 en volumes, filled with the most useful scientific 

 as well as practical matter, a considerable portion 

 of which we understand is about to be re-pub- 

 lished in a new and attractive form. Nor are we 

 called upon to answer, fully, the insinuations that 

 the labors of the early members of the Middlesex 

 Society were of little value to the county or the 

 country. The highly cultivated fields, the beauti- 

 ful gardens, the orchards loaded with fruits, and 

 the superior stock that grazes upon * le hills of 

 this county, furnish, perhaps, all the answer that 

 is needed. 



If "Justice" had investigated and ascertained 

 the early character of the Middlesex Society, he 

 would have found its affairs conducted by men of 

 learning and intelligence, aided by the practical, 

 hard-working farmers of the county ; he would 

 have found them meeting often for discussion, 

 comparison of notes and the reception of tcritten 

 reports ; found committees appointed and charged 

 with duties as important as those entrusted to 

 them at the present day. Besides all this, they 

 made annu J reports in writing to the State soci- 

 ety, which sjjeak for themselves now, and which 

 are models of excellence. We also have reason 

 to believe that exhibitions were held by this soci- 

 ety previous to the year 1810. Does this look as 

 though the Middlesex Society had no other than 

 "a mere paper existence ?" 



But we confess that we are unable to see what 

 connection these things have with the question 

 under discussion. If it is proved, as it has been 

 most abundantly, that the Northmen visited this 

 continent before Columbus was born, we do not 

 see how this disparages the merits of the Genoese 

 navigator. AVhether his discoveries or theirs 

 were followed by the most important and perma- 

 nent results, is another and entirely distinct ques- 

 tion, and we can see no logical connection be- 

 tween them. Whether the Middlesex or the Berk- 

 shire society was first organized is one question. 

 Which was constructed upon the best plan, which 

 has been conducted with the most efficiency, or 

 followed by the best results, are entirely distinct 

 questions, and we have not acuteness enough to 

 discover any necessary connection between them. 



For the writer of the article which has called 



forth these remarks, we have no other feelings 

 than those of the highest respect and the warmest 

 regard, and with this expression of our feelings 

 we must dismiss the subject. 



JA)r the New England Farmer. 

 LETTER PROM CONCORD, MASS. 



It is refreshing in these times of panic and 

 poverty, to know of one factory where there is no 

 discharging of help just as winter Is coming on, 

 nor any "half-time" or "half-pay." The mill in 

 our village has kept straight along, and will con- 

 tinue to do so. A few weeks ago, a fire broke 

 out on the roof, near the belfry, which threatened 

 for a time to stop the mill forever. The fu'e-en- 

 glne was speedily brought to bear upon the 

 flames, which were soon subdued, much to the joy 

 of the whole village. 



Each family connected with the mill was pre- 

 sented with a fine turkey for their Thanksgiving 

 dinner by the owners. The pay-day is once a 

 month. I saw a poor fainting girl brought out 

 of the weaving-room this afternoon into the fresh 

 air. She was struck on the head by a shuttle that 

 leaped from the loom. A few days ago, a "card 

 boy," a little "off his guard," lost the tips of some 

 of his fingers in his machine. 



Wood-cutting has commenced again in the 

 neighborhood. One Samuel Haynes had an an- 

 cle badly crushed this week by a tree that struck 

 another, and jumped from the stump. 



I have not seen the first ice-car go down- the 

 Fitchburg railroad this fall. I suppose the India 

 war, and the dulness of trade in Boston, will 

 check the demand for ice this winter. 



I have banked my house on the north side 

 with saw-dust again. It is quicker done than with 

 dirt, and more effectual. Besides, the clapboards, 

 are not stained as with soil. It Is good economy 

 to put up extra sashes upon windows in exposed 

 places. Wasting fuel is wasting money. 



Between this time, and the first of April, I in- 

 tend to enjoy my comfortable workshop In stor- 

 my weather. I have a long tin pan in which I 

 oil my harness. I have a box of awls and thread, 

 and often illustrate how "a stitch in time saves 

 nine." About a house and farm there are a great 

 many repairs and little improvements needed. If 

 one is remote from mechanics, this work can on- 

 ly be done by having a shop and tools. AV. D. B. 



SIZE OF FARMS IN AMERICA. 



In the wheat region, south of Lake Ontario, 

 tlie farms are usually from 150 to 200 acres in 

 extent, though many are much larger. The farm- 

 houses are roomy and comfortable, impress'Ing 

 one favorably with the condition of the occupants. 

 The female members of the family have ample 

 employment in the cleaning and cooking depart- 

 ments, and the table at the dlflferent meals is 

 loaded with a profusion of dishes. House-ser- 

 vants are dispensed with as far as possible. 

 Butcher-meat appears at breakfast, dinner, and 

 supper. The Americans no doubt eat a vast deal 

 loo much of such stimulating food. Indeed, I do 

 not think that any class in England consumes so 

 much butcher-meat as all classes do here. It is 



