30 ON FARMS. 



year, that so few farmers have been induced to be- 

 come competitors for the premiums oftered by the 

 Society. In the years 1834 and 1835, only a single 

 farm was entered, and the number has not generally 

 exceeded two or three. This appears the more re- 

 markable, when we consider the number and value 

 of the premiums. 



Two farms have been entered for premiums, the 

 present year, one by Joseph Howe, of Methuen, and 

 the other by Erastus Ware, of Marblehead. Both 

 these gentlemen deserve much credit for the flour- 

 ishing state to which they have brought their farms, 

 compared with their condition when they came into 

 their hands. They have been particularly success- 

 ful in reclaiming some swamp land, which formerly 

 disfigured their farms. By draining off" the water, 

 exterminating bushes, and sinking the stones beneath 

 the surface, they have caused these unproductive 

 swamps to produce heavy burdens of English hay. 

 It will be seen by their statements, that Messrs. How 

 and Ware have been in the habit of selling a consid- 

 erable part of their produce. Our own experience 

 has convinced us that this is, in many cases, the most 

 profitable course for those persons who reside in the 

 neighborhood of a good market. 



Any further remarks by the committee are render- 

 ed unnecessary by the full and satisfactory statements 

 furnished by the gentlemen themselves. 



The committee have awarded the first premium of 

 thirty dollars to Joseph Howe, of Methuen, and the 

 second premium of twenty-five dollars to Erastus 

 Ware, of Marblehead. 



By order of the Committee. 



JOSEPH KITTREDGE, Chairman. 



December 30th, 1837. 



