MIDDLESEX SOCIETY. 107 



to learn the shortest and best road by which he can have a bet- 

 ter farm and reap a more abundant harvest than his neighbor. 

 Rejoice then, ye who cultivate the soil, and be grateful to all 

 bounteous Heaven, for your distinguished blessings. 



The farms examined by the committee were all rather hard 

 and rough in their original state, but at present bear evidence 

 of much persevering labor and good husbandry. The several 

 statements respecting these are so full, as to render unnecessary 

 any remarks of the committee. With regard to the bog- 

 meadows, it is sufficient to say that these lands, formerly 

 worthless, now produce large crops of good hay. The modes 

 by which they have been reclaimed, may be learned from the 

 statements of the competitors. 



The committee were pleased to find that our farmers are 

 paying so much attention to raising fruit. They visited or- 

 chards containing from one hundred to three thousand fruit 

 trees. Many of these were loaded with fruit, and their owners 

 have already received great profit from them. Of others, the 

 profit is yet to come ; but come it will, for there is nothing 

 more profitable to the farmer than his fruit. The demand for 

 good fruit is even now greater than the supply. Let those 

 who think there is no profit in farming, look over the county 

 and see how many farmers not only obtain a good support for 

 themselves and families, but are every year putting out money 

 at interest, or making greater improvements on their farms. 



The committee award the premiums as follows : — 



Farms. 

 Thomas J. Damon, Wayland, 1st premium, 

 Charles Gerry, Sudbury, 2d " 



John P. Reed, Bedford, 3d " 



Reclaimed Meadows. 



Joel Wheeler, Concord, 1st premium, 



Daniel L. Giles, Lincoln, 2d " 



Apple Orchards. 

 William Wyman, Lowell, 1st premium, - - 12 00 



