FARM BUILDINGS. 241 



ground — to the double, cast-iron plough of the present day, that 

 is capable of pulverizing the soil to the depth of twelve or 

 fourteen inches. No good farmer will fail to employ these aids 

 to labor, which, as experience has taught, tend to improve the 

 condition of all classes and to advance civilization. The farm- 

 er and mechanic are bound together by the strongest tics of 

 interest, and whatever contributes to the prosperity of the one 

 operates equally to the advantage of the other. We cannot 

 forbear, here, from alluding to the too common practice of fur- 

 nishing our youth with worn-out or refuse tools, and then 

 requiring too great an amount of labor, or finding fault with 

 its execution. We need not wonder that they look upon agri- 

 culture as servile or slavish, and on its votaries as mere serfs, 

 and leave the old homestead, with all its hallowed associations, 

 in pursuit of other occupations. Encourage them, not only by 

 precept and example, but by surrounding them with those com- 

 forts and conveniences, which none but the husbandman can 

 enjoy, which are so well calculated to secure that greatest of 

 earthly blessings — a contented and happy mind. 



Charles H. Field, Chairman. 



FARM BUILDINGS. 



The committee of the Norfolk Society, appointed to visit 

 various sections of the county to ascertain and report on the 

 condition and prospects of its farming, speak as follows: 

 " We cannot but notice great improvements in the construction 

 of farm buildings in different parts of the county. We regard 

 this as an indication of increased interest as well as success in 

 agriculture, and of more study and reflection upon the best 

 methods of conducting its operations. Among those recently 

 erected we might specify the barn of Hon. B. V. French, in 

 Braintree, as, for convenience and labor-saving, an almost 

 faultless model. We would advise all, of whatever means, who 

 intend to build, to examine Mr. French's barn, because, in our 

 opinion, it is excelled by none in the county." 



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