98 PLYMOUTH SOCIETY. 



counted on this lot, and more than two hundred and sixty young 

 birches from the seed. The young pines are fully sufficient to 

 cover the whole lot, with a few more years' growth. 



My experience has taught me that forest seeds will vegetate 

 best, to be left on the top of the soil after it has been well pul- 

 verized by the plough and harrow. Though in that way it is 

 exposed to the depredations of the squirrels and birds ; and 

 transplanting has been practised to cover vacant spaces. The 

 young trees may be transplanted with success at any time from 

 October to June, when the ground is not frozen. Make a trian- 

 gular incision with a shovel round the young tree, and it may 

 be easily taken up and placed where it is needed. Forest seeds 

 may be sown in either of the fall months with success : if the 

 earlier months are more favorable for vegetation, the seed sown 

 early is more exposed to the depredations of squirrels and 

 birds. 



From an experiment made in pruning young pines, I am 

 fully satisfied that to cut off the green limbs is injurious to the 

 tree. 



West Bridgeivater, Oct. 4, 1845. 



Supervisor's Report. 



The supervisor, in the performance of his duties, has travelled 

 in most of the towns in the county ; and has witnessed, with 

 great satisfaction, the progress of improvement in various 

 branches of the agricultural interest. The most observable 

 and important improvements have been made in the renovation 

 of useless swamps. In every town, the axe, the hoe and plough 

 are penetrating those recesses, which our fathers regarded only 

 as fit receptacles for noxious animals and reptiles. Where, a 

 few years since, there was nothing to be seen either of the beau- 

 tiful or useful, we now behold an attractive carpet of luxuriant 

 grass, we anticipate the fulness of barns, the health, joy and 

 vigor of full fed domestic herds. 



In the reclamation of swamps, our citizens have learned to 

 cultivate the grasses to greater advantage in all fields, instead 

 of the slow and exhausting process of pulverizing soils in the 



