51 



now added a very fine breeding-mare, — with colt by her side, — 

 which commanded the attention and admiration of those members 

 of the Committee best quaUfied to judge of her excellence. We 

 had opportunity, also, to witness the operation of a mowing ma- 

 chine — a labor-saving implement of which Mr. M. highly approves, 

 after a long and satisfactory trial on his own grounds. The 

 machine now exhibited was one invented by Mr. Fisk Russell, of 

 South Boston. It Avas operated with ease, by a pair of good 

 horses, — Mr. Motley himsolf being driver, and, although we are 

 not prepared to speak unhesitatingly of the capacity of this ma- 

 chine from such an exhibition of it, yet, from the representation of 

 others, Avho had had better opportunity to test its merits, combined 

 with our own observation, we are disposed to regard it as a valu- 

 able addition to the increasing number of these labor-saving 

 implements.* 



After due consideration of the entire condition of this farm, du- 

 ring the year, — its cultivation and crops, its spacious and conven- 

 ient buildings, its choice dairy products, its fine stock, of different 

 sorts, and the care and skill employed in the breeding and 

 management of them, — the Committee unanimously decided that it 

 Avas fully deserving of the Society's first premium. We, accord- 

 ingly, aAvard to Thos. Motley, Jr., Esq., of West Roxbury, a 

 premium of $20. 



Of Mr. Motley's dAvelling, — long an object of notice to the pass- 

 ing traveller, for its beautiful situation and commanding aspect, 

 — Ave have only to say, that, having been enlarged and improved 

 during the past summer, it noAV appears to combine in its structure 

 and its interior appointments, all that can make it contribute to 

 the comfort and enjoyment of the family. It affords one of the 

 most extensive vicAvs of beautiful scenery to be found in the coun- 

 ty ; and continues to be, what it has ever been, the seat of 

 generous hospitality and of elegant refinement. 



We may be pardoned for this allusion, since the pleasantness 



*AVc are fully persuaded, not^\'ithstandinff the olijections urged ajjainst it, that a 

 good mowing madiinc is, indeed, u labor-saving implement, and that a more com- 

 mon use of it in this county, would be one of the best improvements that could be 

 introduced. Opposition to the use of the horse-rake was as general and (|uite as 

 strong but a few years ago. Yet there is no implement, now, more commonly 

 used and approved of. The objection growing out of tlie cost of a mowing ma- 

 chine may be obviated, in many cases, by the union of several farmers in tlie 

 same neighborhood for the purchase and ownership of it. If more workmen arc 

 required to take care of the grass, they may always be profitably em])loycd on any 

 large farm, while tiic machine is in operation, and tlie time occupied in getting 

 hay will be largely diminished. If to keep a maclduc in order is sometimes cx- 

 ])ensive, so also is the frefpient exchanging of scythes, the grinding and wlietting, 

 and tlie I0S.S of time and labor occasioned thereby wiiere many hands must be em- 

 employed. And as to the cliaracter of tlie work ]jerformcd by a machine, there 

 is no good reason why it m;iy not be as well done as it coukl be by the most 

 skilful use of the scythe. Our impression is that it is often done better. 



