16 



REPORT : 



That they hare received but four claims on this subject, viz. 

 from the Hon. William Bartlet, of Newburyport, for his farm 

 in Methuen ; from Col. Jesse Putnam and Capt. Dudley Brad- 

 street, of Danvers ; and from Mr. Isaac Dodge, of Hamilton. 



Each of these farms was visited by the Committee in the 

 month of July, when vegetation was most flourishing ; and the 

 several statements of the claimants annexed to this report have 

 been carefully examined. 



The farm of Mr. Bartlet in Methuen is in a very high and su- 

 perior state of cultivation. It consists of about two hundred 

 acres of land ; is conveniently divided into lots ; and well fenced 

 with the best offences, Stone Wall. The order and neatness 

 with which all the business of the farm is conducted merits 

 high approbation. The lands have been much improved by the 

 removal of the stones for the building of wail, and laying cov- 

 ered drains, by means of which waste lands have been convert- 

 ed into fine cultivated fields. Great attention is paid to obtam- 

 ing manure, and an abundant supply is made on the farm. But 

 most of all were the Committee pleased with the habits of so- 

 briety and temperance inculcated upon the labourers, and with 

 the fact, that so large a farm, emploj^ing many hands, was car- 

 ried on entirely without the use of ardent spirit at any season of 

 the year. Would our farmers generally imitate this example, 

 they would soon find themselves relieved from the heaviest tax 

 with which they are at present burthened. Your Committee 

 are well aware of the advantages, in point of capital, possessed 

 by Mr. Bartlet, over most other farmers in the county. Still 

 they consider the improvements he has made, such as are with- 

 in the means of, and worthy of imitation by, our larmers gene- 

 rally ; and they are of the opinion that he is entitled to the first 

 premium of thirty dollars. 



The farm of Col. Jesse Putnam, of Danvers, consists of about 

 114 acres of land, and is well cultivated. The orchards are su- 

 perior to any we have seen in the county, and the management 

 of the young trees appears to be excellent. The methods pur- 

 sued by Col. Putnam of subduing the rough lands, and reclaim- 



