24 IBANBACTI0N8. 



proved lands in all parts of the State, which have been re- 

 claimed to fruitfulness and beauty ; to the noble farms v^'hose 

 products have been doubled and trebled within the last twenty 

 years ; to the number of farms once mortgaged and over- 

 grown with weeds and bushes which choked the very walls, 

 now cleanly cultivated and productive ; to the whole smiling 

 aspect of the State, wearing as it does, the legible marks of 

 the enterprise, the energy and intelligence of its inhabitants. 



I have made a computation based on the valuation of 1850, 

 to ascertain how long it will take, at the present rate of pro- 

 gress, to bring under cultivation all the waste lands in the 

 Commonwealth. It appears from official statistics that twenty 

 four thousand acres of waste land are annually made capable 

 of cultivation by the reclaiming of meadows, the drainage of 

 swamps &-C. Now, at that rate, upon which I think we may 

 safely calculate, considering the increasing population and 

 wants of the State, and the greatly increased interest felt in 

 the subject, it will take less than thirty years to bring all our 

 waste and unimproved land, capable of use, into cultivation. 



This does not, of course, include some two hundred and 

 fifty-eight thousand acres, most of vi-'hich is wholly incapable 

 of improvement. 



I am less familiar with this section than with many other 

 parts of the State, but from much observation during the 

 present season, I think I am safe in saying that the amount 

 which has this year been brought from comparative waste 

 cannot fall short of that of any previous year. There is a 

 deep and growing conviction in the minds of farmers, that 

 these will be the most valuable and the most profitable lands 

 they can own. But apart from the expectation of any pecu- 

 niary profit, there is a natural and noble sentiment which im- 

 pels many an enterprising farmer to carry on and perfect 

 these improvements, and when he has accomplished his work, 

 he feels that he has added something to the real wealth of the 

 world. There is the fertile field itself continually proclaim- 

 ing the knowledge and enterprise of its owner, and rewarding 

 him every moment for his care and energy, for it looks up to 



