348 PLYMOUTH SOCIETY. 



Ill 18 18, three prospective premiums were offered " to the 

 person who shall do the most effectml work with the plough 

 or hoe in subduing bushes in pasture land from May, 1848, to 

 October, 1851." 



For those premiums, three entries were seasonably made ; 

 one was subsequently withdrawn. 



The committee recommend the award of the first premium 

 of ^10 to Chipman Porter, of Halifax, he having effectually 

 subdued six acres of bush pasture at an expense of about $10 

 per acre. 



Austin J. Roberts, of Middleborough, has partially reclaimed 

 four acres of very rough land at a great expense, but we appre- 

 hend that the trustees in offering those premiums, did not con- 

 template bestowing them on competitors who should attempt 

 the renovation of pasture land at an expense of $50 or $60 

 per acre ; there are few localities in the county that would 

 justify so great an outlay, unless there were some very visible 

 evidences of fertility. 



It is to be feared that applicants for those premiums in their 

 eagerness to become successful competitors, may sometimes, 

 (from a misconception of their interest,) destroy much young 

 growing wood, which in a few years would become vastly 

 more valuable than indifferent pasture land. 



Three prospective premiums were offered in 1848, "for the 

 most judiciously cultivated farm of not less than twenty acres," 

 payable in 1851. Three entries were originally made, two 

 have since been withdrawn, leaving Orsamus Littlejohn, of 

 Middleborough, without a competitor. 



It is a matter of regret, that when there are so many farms 

 in the county of Plymouth that should merit this distinction, 

 so few competitors should be found. We recommend the 

 award of the 2d premium of $20 to Mr. Littlejohn. 



Mr. Littlejohn combines the two-fold occupation of farmer 

 and blacksmith, and owns a farm of fifty-six acres, twenty- 

 two acres of wood land, twelve acres of unimproved, and 

 twenty-two acres of improved land. The appearance of his 

 farm when divested of crops is certainly not very prepossessing ; 

 the most of his soil may very properly be denominated what 



