FARMS. 183 



more attractive to himself and his family as they advance in 

 life, and the thought sliall become more and more grateful to 

 him and to tlicm, that they will sleep together, at last, upon its 

 quiet breast. 



Of one thing observed in this town, (West Roxbury,) we 

 cannot forbear to speak, though it be only to record the fact, 

 for an example to others. We allude to the lively interest and 

 zeal manifested in the welfare of this society. One of the 

 gentlemen, to whose attentions the committee were particularly 

 indebted, assured us of his purpose to add, this year, — as he 

 had done in former years, — a large number to the society's 

 catalogue of members, — an assurance which he made good by 

 the presentation of thirty names of new members, together 

 with the fees for their membership. Another of these gentle- 

 men had also warmly interested himself in a similar under- 

 taking, which he nobly completed, by adding eighteen names to 

 the catalogue of members, and passing to the treasury the fees 

 for their membership. Now, allowing all the abatement which 

 needs be made, fur the peculiarly favorable locality where these 

 efforts were put forth, we would urge it upon the consideration 

 of every member of the society, how much may be accomplished 

 by equally zealous endeavors elsewhere. 



An instance of agricultural practice, hitherto unusual in this 

 vicinity, was observed in Franklin, which, it is thought, may lead 

 to profitable results. We refer to the spreading of fine gravel, 

 three or four inches deep, as a top-dressing, on uplands, by which 

 astonishing effects were produced on crops of grass and corn. 

 The land on which this experiment was shown to the committee, 

 had a subsoil of clay, and the benefit of such a top-dressing was 

 supposed to consist, mainly, if not entirely, in warming the soil 

 and thus quickening the growth of plants. It was affirmed, 

 however, by others, that this was only a subsidiary effect of the 

 practice ; that the land was not particularly moist or cold, and 

 that equally remarkable effects were to be seen on other and 

 drier lands. But of the philosophy and particular benefit of 

 this practice, we shall be able to speak more clearly hereafter. 



Charles C. Sewall, Chairman. 



