252 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



farmer to profit bj them. The upland mowing lands are valued 

 at from 840 to 850 per acre, and are owned to advantage. The 

 mountain and hill-side pasture lands are valued from 85 to 820 

 per acre ; three to six acres being usually allowed to furnish 

 summer feed for each head of stock. The woodlands (which 

 make up a full portion of each farm) are valued at 815 to 820 

 per acre, and are also found profitable in the making up of the 

 farmer's account. The soils of this district, beginning with a 

 clayey loam, rising to the tillable uplands, become a gravelly 

 loam, generally free from stones. The hilly and mountainous 

 lands have a better soil than we are accustomed to find on the 

 eastern portions of the State in land similarly situated. 



The average price of hay for ten years is about 811 per ton. 

 The average price of potatoes for a like period from 28 to 30 

 cents per bushel. 



No person can visit the Hoosac Valley without a feeling of 

 surprise that the measures undertaken to bring the people of 

 this portion of the State into closer relations with the centres 

 of trade, should have been so long delayed. As already shown, 

 the increase of population within the district named, has been 

 In ten years, thirty-five per cent. With similar facilities to 

 those enjoyed in other sections of the State, the population 

 would doubtless double in numbers within a period of ten 

 years following the completion of such aids to thrift. 



The farmers of Hoosac Valley seemed to be settled for life. 

 The homestead and farm buildings ; the orderly manner in 

 which the farms are conducted ; the dairy management, and 

 the quality of the product of their dairies ; the orchards ; the 

 ample gardens ; the abundance of vegetables ; the attention 

 given to the cultivation of flowers, and other interests which 

 bring contentment ; these together witness to the fact that tlie 

 Hoosac Valley is their permanent home. Here also are the 

 model mountains, the hill-sides, the rich meadows and the 

 numberless rivers which arc the pride of the Commonwealth, 

 and which give dignity and attraction to a pastoral life. 



George M. Atwater. 



