2 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



bj the feeling that some encouragement to this class of 

 farmers was needed ; and his own experience in this matter had 

 convinced him of the importance and value of keeping, so far as 

 practicable, strict farm accounts. The society accordingly 

 offered the following premiums : — One of twenty dollars, one of 

 twelve, and one of eight, to be paid in the fall of 1865. For 

 these premiums one person only — Mr. Darwin P. Keyes, of Dun- 

 stable — entered his name as a competifor. This want of compe- 

 tition your Committee deeply regretted, inasmuch as it necessarily 

 detracts from the interest felt by all parties. 



They visited the farm of Mr. Keyes in the month of Septem- 

 ber, 1864, and one member of the Committee — Mr. French, who 

 resides in the same town — has visited it on various other occa- 

 sions, and has made himself familiar with the methods adopted 

 by the proprietor in its management. 



The farm contains about one hundred and eighty-five acres, 

 forty of which are wood and sprout land. There are also several 

 acres of wet or brook meadow, yielding a good supply of fair 

 stock hay. Mr. Keyes, on taking charge of the farm, some three 

 or four years since, turned his attention to stock raising ; and at 

 the time of your Committee's visit had upon his place twelve 

 yearlings, (steers and heifers,) and eight calves. These were in 

 good condition, and gave evidence of careful management on 

 the part of the proprietor. A continued attention to this 

 important branch of farming business could not have failed of 

 being highly remunerative at the present ruling prices of farm 

 stock. On the place was found a good su.bstantially-built barn, 

 well filled with hay and grain, while the cellar under the same 

 was apparently kept well supplied with meadow-muck or loam 

 for composting. 



The appearance of the cultivated crops — consisting principally 

 of corn and potatoes — was good, although the severe drought of 

 the season had affected a portion of the land considerably. Most 

 of the land under cultivation had, as we were informed, been 

 used for many years as pasturing, and was somewhat stony and 

 much grown to bushes. To reclaim this was a primary object 

 in the cultivation. 



For further particulars in relation to the crops I would refer 

 to the Farm Accounts, as presented by Mr. K., for the seasons 

 of 1864-5. 



