27 



present such an example of culture and management as would 

 justify us in making an award. But it will be remembered that 

 he has enlisted for a five-years' term under another head, in 

 which he will have the opportunity of demonstrating the results of 

 " Progressive Husbandry," according to the plans which he has 

 laid down. 



SANFORD HOWARD, Chairman. 



FARM IMPROVEMENTS IN FRANKLIN. 



After the Report of the Supervisory Committee was written, 

 the following communication was received. Referring as it does 

 to important agricultural improvements in a section of the County 

 from which the Society derives a substantial support, it is deemed 

 worthy a place in the Transactions. It can scarcely be doubted 

 that the example of the writer has had much influence in produc- 

 ing the improvements of which he speaks, although his modesty 

 has prevented any allusion to his own deeds : 



Having, in my rambles the past season, visited many of the 

 farmers in the western part of Norfolk County, and spent with 

 them many pleasant and instructive hours in viewing their farms, 

 and learning their past experience in the different departments of 

 their calling, I Jiave taken some notes of wli^t I saw. In no 

 section have I found more spirit and energy than among the 

 farmers of Franklin, of whom I speak in this communication. 

 Although oppressed, in common with other classes, by the civil 

 commotions of our country, they have nevertheless found time to 

 make greater improvements upon their lands, their buildings, and 

 their stock, especially in reclaiming waste lands, than they probably 

 ever made before. 



In giving a very imperfect detail of their reclaiming waste 

 lands, I trust I shall be excused for making some personal allu- 

 sions, for to withhold such examples would be a public loss. 

 It is the duty of every people to know their resources, especially 

 in times like the present, when the capacities of the. country are 

 to be taxed to their utmost. And, further, their example is 

 worthy to be imitated by farmers generally. Mosf of the im- 

 provements of which I write have been made by men of limited 

 means ; but what they have lacked in money has been made up 

 in energy, which is an element as free to all as the air we breathe. 



Elisha BuUard, a very worthy and intelligent farmer, has nearly 

 completed the reclaiming of some four acres of swale and meadow 

 land, a portion of which was very wet, and covered with hassocks 



