29 



It is proper that some mention should be made in this report of 

 the experiments in irrigation, as conducted by Artcmas Newell, 

 of Needhara, and E. L. Metcalf, of Franklin, and which have 

 been spoken of in previous reports. The Chairman visited Mr. 

 Newell's grounds on the 25th of June. The water was found 

 flowing between the pear trees and the strawberry beds as usual ; 

 but in some respects its advantages had not, this season, been 

 equal to what thej have formerly been. The season, after May, 

 having been a wet one, there was less necessity for supplying 

 water artificially. A considerable portion of the strawberries 

 were killed by frost ; so that in any event this crop could not 

 show to so good advantage as in previous years. In consequence 

 of the copious and frequent rains, some of Mr. N.'s strawberry 

 beds, on rich land not irrigated, were nearly as productive as the 

 irrigated beds. 



Mr. Metcalf, having been very closely engaged the present 

 season with matters somewhat distinct from the usual routine of 

 farming — a part of his business having been the building of one 

 of the best barns in the county — did not avail himself to the 

 full extent of his advantages of irrigation. The water was, how- 

 ever, turned over a portion of the land which has been prepared 

 for that process. A newly-seeded tract of several acres, irriga- 

 ted for the first time, produced three crops of hay this year. It 

 was not weighed, but Mr. M. states that the two first crops were 

 as large as he could make on* the ground, that the third crop was 

 what would ordinarily be called a good one for .a second crop, and 

 that even after this had been taken off, a growth of considerable 

 bulk sprang up. 



We may add that extended observation from year to year, only 

 accumulates evidence in regard to the great advantages which 

 may be derived from irrigation, and it is to be hoped that so im- 

 portant an object will receive increased attention from our farmers. 



The Committee made an appointment to visit Medfield, but 

 their intentions were wholly defeated, as they nearly were in other 

 cases, by the occurrence of rain. 



One entry only came before the Committee for the premium 

 offered for the best cultivated farm, namely, that of Dr. W. T. G. 

 Morton, of West Needham, who made the same entry in 1861. 

 A delegation of the Committee re-examined the farm in reference 

 to the claim alluded to. We might express the result of our ex- 

 aminations and reflections, by a (quotation from our Report of 

 1861, as follows : " In reference to his [Dr. M.'s] claim for the 

 premium for the best cultivated farm, we are of opinion that, 

 6 



