FARMS. 101 



was a vacancy in the pig pen. Mr. Raymond is industrious in 

 the manufacture of manures by composting, thereby making 

 the most of the means which a limited stock and an unoccupied 

 pig pen can supply. The committee were well satisfied that he 

 had improved his farm very much and that in most particulars 

 his management was judicious. In one respect he furnishes an 

 example worthy of all imitation and so rarely to be met with 

 among farmers tiiat it cannot be too highly commended. Mr. 

 Raymond has kept accurate farm accounts, ever since the place 

 came into his hands, showing the processes and results of all 

 his operations in a pecuniary point of view, and ready for 

 reference at all times. This alone entitles him to much con- 

 sideration. But the committee, taking into view the entire 

 deficiency of pasturage, the absence of a dairy and the want of 

 swine did not think this a farm so complete in all its appoint- 

 ments as to entitle it to a premium. They supposed that a farm, 

 however worthy in other respects it might be, if entirely defi- 

 cient in these important ])articulars, did not so nearly a})proxi- 

 mate to perfection, as in fixing n{)on the conditions of the offer 

 the Trustees intended a premium farm should do. The conclu- 

 sion arrived at by them is to recommend a gratuity of <|30 to 

 Mr. Raymond for the improvements which he has made, and 

 especially for the valuable example which he furnishes in 

 keeping correct accounts of the receipts and expenses of his 

 farm. 



Two of the members of the committee visited the farm of 

 Leverett Bradley, in Methuen. In 1818 this farm received the 

 highest premium then offered by tlie society. The same year 

 Mr. Bradley also received the highest premium for improving 

 wet meadows. That tract of meadow, which was the most 

 extensive of its character that had then been improved, remains 

 as it was without having been disturbed by plough or spade or 

 even top-dressed. Its product now averages a ton and a half 

 to the acre, proving conclusively not only how well the meadow 

 was drained in the first instance, but the enduring value of such 

 land when properly reclaimed. Patches of grass land in some 

 specially favored localities and small in extent may be found 

 throughout the county, which constantly yield fair crops of hay 

 without expenditure upon them. We think, however, that 

 nowhere else can there be found a tract of thirty acres which 



