PASTURE LANDS. 81 



PASTURE LANDS. 



ESSEX. 



From the Report of the Committee. 



The committee on improving- pasture lands report: — 



That but one entry was made, and that at a recent date; to 

 the examination of this the attention of the committee was 

 called immediately after the notice of the entry was communi- 

 cated to the chairman. 



This entry was made by Jonathan Berry, of Middleton, 

 whose statement, herewith submitted, will exhibit the former 

 state of the land, and the course of improvement adopted. 



The land, located in a swale, is of oblong shape, bordered 

 on one side and end by highways, on the other side by the Es- 

 sex Railroad, and the remaining side by land of the owner, 

 partly reclaimed and partly in its natural state. It was in va- 

 rious states of improvement — from the rough state, after two 

 ploughings, to a smooth surface, well set in grass. The bushes 

 in all seemed to have been well eradicated, and the stones, 

 with the exception of a few scattering bowlders, removed from 

 their beds, and collected in locations convenient for removal, 

 or already taken from the lot, as the owner found opportunity 

 for sale or use. 



This state of the land afforded the committee a favorable 

 opportunity of judging of its former condition, and of its prom- 

 ise of future production, and also of the adaptcdness of the 

 course of improvement adopted by Mr. Berry to produce the 

 desired effect. 



The committee were fully of opinion that the course adopted 

 was judicious, and its execution thorough, but, upon consider- 

 ing what would be the future use of the land, were of opinion 

 that it would be better adapted for field than pasture cultiva- 

 tion. Upon this view of the case, and the probable meaning 

 of the society in offering the premiums on improved pasture 

 laud, doubts were entertained of the propriety of considering 

 this case as one contemplated in the offer — which doubts were 

 strengthened and confirmed by recurring to the opening re- 

 11* 



