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as to be incapable of restoration by rest, and where bushes 

 have obtained the mastery. In such a case as this, resort must 

 be had to the axe and bush-hook, to fire, the plough, manure 

 and seeding. 



How far the clearing, ploughing and seeding of pastures can 

 be carried with profit, each farmer must judge for himself. In 

 one or two instances, the experiment has been carried to a con- 

 siderable extent in this county. A large tract of comparatively 

 level land lying on the ]\Ierrimac river has been cleared of 

 bushes, ploughed, and allowed to lie fallow one year. It has 

 then been cross-ploughed, harrowed and seeded with rye and 

 grass. In this case, the value of the land for grazing purposes 

 has been largely increased. In the eastern part of the county, 

 a hill-side pasture has been treated in the same manner ; with 

 what success we are unable to learn. It is possible that many 

 acres of land now wholly unproductive, could be brought, by 

 this process, into valuable pastures, without great expense, 

 provided that the work is done in the intervals of more press- 

 ing duties during the season. The precise cost cannot be esti- 

 mated — inasmuch as it would depend very much on the location 

 of the land, and the time occupied in ploughing and fallowing. 

 It is very desirable that some practical farmer should make an 

 accurate return of the expense incurred per acre by this process. 

 If it can be done advantageously, what a vast benefit would be 

 the reclaiming of a few acres each year, on most of our farms. 

 At any rate, we trust the time will soon come when every 

 farmer who prides himself on his corn and hay crops, will 

 leani that a growth of birches, bushes and briars on his pastures 

 cannot belong to any good system of farming. 



But one experiment in improving land was brought before 

 the Committee ; an,d this is of a somewhat novel character. It 

 consists of the clearing of old pasture land for the purpose of 

 orcharding — and although it does not come under the question 

 which we have referred to, still it is entitled to careful atten- 

 tion. The experiment was made by Oliver P. Elillam of Box- 

 ford, and we give his statement in his own words : 



