8 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



difficult to find upon any farm a happier combination of the 

 beautiful and the useful than appears under Mr. Murray's man- 

 agement. 



The farm of Josiah Bigelow, in Groton, is an interesting in- 

 stance of the judicious outlay of money in the improvement of 

 land. From personal observation for a series of years, we can 

 bear witness to the constant improvement in the condition of 

 this farm. Bogs once almost impassable have been converted 

 into firm and very productive meadows. Orchards have been 

 planted, hills levelled, and a place naturally attractive has been 

 made superlatively beautiful by the hand of art and labor. 

 What we would especially commend to the attention of the 

 farming public, is the remarkable skill displayed in the location 

 and arrangement of the different out-buildings upon the place. 

 " Contrivance," it has been said, "is better than hard work." 

 We certainly think so, for here contrivances of various kinds 

 supersede much of the labor hitherto deemed unavoidable upon 

 a farm. 



We visited in Westford the farm of Mr. L. H. Hildreth, the 

 same which took the second premium of this society last year. 

 The owner of this farm is illustrating, not so much the "pursuit " 

 as the application of "knowledge under difficulties," inasmuch 

 as he applies himself personally to his laborious work. Much 

 credit is due to Mr. Hildreth for his good judgment and per- 

 severance. 



The farm of Mr. Francis Richardson, of Billcrica, is one of 

 great capabilities, which are just beginning to be developed 

 under the direction of its present owner. We were somewhat 

 surprised to find so extensive a tract of excellent land situated 

 so near a good market, and still remaining comparatively un- 

 improved. It is very satisfactory to know that it is not to 

 remain so any longer. 



In closing their report, your committee arc happy to bear 

 witness to the signs of increasing thrift among the agricultural 

 portion of our community. The number of farms offered for 

 premiums has always been very small, and we somewhat fear 

 that our farmers are laboring under a mistake in this matter. 

 They seem to suppose that unless great show is made upon a 

 farm, such as wealth alone can accomplish, it is useless to enter 



