303 NORFOLK SOCIETY. ^ 



tillage land embraces several acres of corn and potatoes, three 

 acres of rye, two acres of barley, and a patch of oats. About 

 three acres are devoted to fruit trees, which are well pruned 

 and very thrifty. The remainder of the farm is grass land. 

 The stock consists of one yoke of oxen, two horses, four cows, 

 and seven or eight hogs. Everything about the premises was 

 in good order, and showed economy, thrift, and careful hus- 

 bandry. Mr. Stedman makes no pretensions to high cultiva- 

 tion, but he has every comfort and convenience around him, 

 which are so characteristic of the good farmers of our county. 



The committee examined the farm of Mr. Breck, in the 

 month of July, and again in September. This farm is im- 

 proved, partly for the milk business, and partly for the growing 

 of vegetables, to be sold in the city of Boston, and in the 

 neighboring towns. 



The farmers of our county being so unwilling to compete for 

 the premiums offered by the society, the duties of your com- 

 mittee were far from laborious. They therefore accepted an 

 invitation to visit the farm of Aaron D. Williams, of Roxbury. 

 This farm is mainly devoted to the cultivation of vegetables 

 for Boston market. Large quantities are sent there daily, such 

 as spinach, asparagus, peas, tomatoes, potatoes, &c. Dande- 

 lions, also, are grown extensively, and find ready sale at remu- 

 nerating prices. Tomatoes are sent to market early in the 

 season, and very large quantities of this healthful, and now in- 

 dispensable vegetable are sold. Your committee were highly 

 gratified in viewing the large and well grown crops produced 

 by the care and good management of Mr. Williams. His fruit 

 trees were laden with fruit, of the finest and most delicious va- 

 rieties ; they were all healthy and thrifty, except the peach 

 trees ; these were diseased, as your committee believe, by 

 means of too high manuring for this fruit, and the consequent 

 too rapid growth of the tree. 



It is the aim of Mr. Williams, to have all the work on his 

 farm done at the right time. The land is ploughed when it is 

 not too wet, the seed is put into the ground at the most favor- 

 able moment, and all the crops are freed from weeds and hoed 

 thoroughly. By attending to every part of his work in season^ 



