150 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



passed over the entire grounds through which the drains had 

 been laid, and found the surface uniformly dry and friable, and 

 in a good condition for the cultivation of almost any crops we 

 usually raise. The crops remaining upon the ground, (the 

 largest portion having been previously harvested,) looked well. 



We noticed a very fine lot of carrots and a patch of corn 

 which was very good. This corn grew near the base of the 

 hill, on a comparatively flat piece of land, where corn was 

 never seen before. Our attention, however, was more particu- 

 larly directed to a very fine pear orchard, occupying, as we 

 should judge, some one and a quarter acres of this underdrained 

 land, and here we think the doctor will witness the most grati- 

 fying results, and reap the greatest benefit. If our memory is 

 correct, there are now standing on this lot about four hundred 

 pear trees, comprising most of the choice varieties ; and we can 

 truly say, we never saw finer trees, or a more healthy and vig- 

 orous growth. Certain we are that such trees could never have 

 been produced upon this land in its original condition, for 

 nothing can be more fatal to the growth of the pear tree, than 

 stagnant water about its roots. We confidently predict that in 

 five years from the present time, this pear orchard alone will 

 pay the doctor a good interest upon his entire outlay for under- 

 draining. 



Your committee feel so well satisfied with the results already 

 attained by the underground operations of Dr. Kelley, tliey most 

 cheerfully award to him the highest premium offered by the 

 society (twenty dollars). 



Some of the most valuable farms in the county of Essex are 

 situated on the summits and declivities of the hills in West 

 Newbury, Andover, Haverhill, Georgetown and Topsfield. 

 These farms are generally wet, backward lands, and cannot be 

 worked in early spring, subjecting the owner to the necessity of 

 cultivating mainly the various grasses. Now as man cannot 

 live on grass alone, we would suggest to the proprietors of 

 such farms, to try the experiment of underdraining one acre at 

 least, that they may have the satisfaction of regaling themselves 

 as early as the fourth of July, with peas, potatoes and other 

 vegetables raised in their own garden. 



W. N. Cleaveland, Jesse Smith, 



Committtee on Underdraining-. 



