16 



of springs in the County Avhose waters might be turned to as good 

 an account. 



The 26| acres of land on which Mr. Metcalf's experiments 

 commenced — a lot having no connection Avith the 40 acres above 

 alluded to, as in course of preparation for irrigation — did not, pre- 

 vious to 1858, produce enough to pay six per cent, interest on 

 the purchase money — $310. In 1860, the same land, according 

 to Mr. M.'s account, gave a return equivalent to the interest on 

 six tliousand seven hundred and tldrty-tliree dollars^ excluding the 

 labor of harvesting. 



We may add that Mr. Metcalf has kept such strict accounts of 

 his operations that he is able to know whether the outlay is profit- 

 able or not. It should be remembered, however, that in some 

 instances a considerable expenditure is required for a year or two 

 before any income can be realized. Time is required to bring 

 luiproductive land into a productive condition. It is a great point 

 to be able to decide in advance, Avhether an operation involving 

 expense is justifiable in reference to ultimate returns. In this 

 Mr. M. has certainly evinced much judgment, his results affording 

 a demonstrative example which has already had an important in- 

 fluence in stimulating others to make similar improvements. 



After leaving Mr. Metcalf's farm, we made a hurried stroll 

 over a portion of the farm of Walter H. Fisher, of Franklin, 

 We had barely time to see that it was managed Avith great neat- 

 ness. We had previously heard that Mr. F.'s motto is that he 

 " can't afford to raise weeds," and our observations enable us to 

 say that he lives up to it. In looking over his corn and potato 

 fields, not a weed was visible, and his wheat, oats, and grass, 

 were so perfectly free from foul plants, as to give rise to the re- 

 mark, that all the crops ought to be saved for seed. The little 

 time at our disposal prevented our gathering any statistics, or 

 making more particular note of Mr. F.'s farm. 



Several of the Committee had the pleasure of witnessing some 

 experiments in irrigation in connection with the cultivation of pear 

 trees, strawberries, various root crops, &c., on the farm of Arte- 

 mas Newell, of Needham. The character of these experiments 

 and their results, will be understood from the following communi- 

 cation, which, at the request of the Committee, Mr. N. has fur- 

 nished for publication. 



" What I have attempted to do in either of the improvements 

 inquired about, has not been done in a very thorough manner, 

 although the results have been sufficiently encouraging to convince 

 me that if the work is properly pursued, it will ultimately be of 



