AGRICULTURE OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



The field of most agricultural operations is the farm. In 

 the arrangement of this work, therefore, the general system 

 of farm management in the State, and the improvements which 

 have been made in it during the past year, seem first to claim 

 our attention. The frequent visits of the various societies to 

 the most skilfully conducted farms of each county by means of 

 their committees, and the faithful records of these visits, con- 

 taining suggestions of great practical value, bring to the knowl- 

 edge and consideration of all the best and most approved 

 practices prevailing in every part of the Commonwealth. 



Following the order of counties adopted by the Legislature 

 from time immemorial, we have first the report of the Essex 

 Society on the improvement of 



FARMS. 



From the Report of the Committee. 



The committee have had nothing to do under that branch of 

 their commission that contemplates the award of premiums at 

 the expiration of three years. 



They have visited a few farms in West Newbury, Marble- 

 head, Danvers, and Lynn, but not enough to enable them to 

 speak with confidence of observations made on such visits. 

 One of their number has looked at several farms in the ex- 

 treme eastern section of the county, — a region that has hereto- 

 fore been little noticed in our transactions, — and herewith sub- 



