No. 151.] 95 



follows: From the low, swampy grounds, he carts out in the fall a 

 quantity of peat which is exposed to the action of the sun, and when 

 dried, removed to a cellar beneath his barn, the floor of which is so 

 constructed that the urine of the cattle may pass through and be 

 absorbed by the peat. In the spring it is taken out, mixed with lime 

 and placed upon the ground. 



His stock consists of seven cows and five horses. The milk sells 

 at the door for two and a half cents per quart. In conducting the 

 labors of the farm, he is aided by his son, one steady hand, and two 

 small colored boys, one seven and the other thirteen years of age. 

 The latter handle the plow and cultivator, and your committee were 

 surprised to hear he had gone over the corn field five times with the 

 cultivator; they are much liked by the family, active, and willing to 

 work. In addition to these, two other hands are employed in the 

 harvest season. After inspecting the crops, your committee returned 

 to the house, and were introduced to the members of Mr. Townsend's 

 interesting family. 



Mr. Hall on behalf of the committee, returned thanks for the kind- 

 ness of their reception, and facility afforded in carrying out the ob- 

 jects of the visit. He dwelt in a few remarks on the advantages of 

 agricultural pursuits as a source of health, happiness and prosperity, 

 and in alluding to the farm, the absence of all complaint of the ra- 

 vages of insects, its high order of cultivation, and the economy of 

 its management with a view to profitable farming, looked upon it as 

 being far superior to any he had seen for several years, which opin- 

 ion received the hearty concurrence of your committee. 



For the hospitality extended them, they would return their sincere 

 thanks. The abundance and variety of the well filled board, proved 

 that the husbandman's reward is sure. The picturesque scenery of 

 different sections through which they passed, the beautiful fields of 

 waving grain, ripe for the sickle, that met the eye on every side, and 

 the various private residences, among others those of Messrs. Ste- 

 vens and IMulligan, adorned by the beauties of nature and art, elici- 

 ted from your committee frequent expressions of pleasure and ap- 

 probation. 



Respectfully submitted. 



(Signed,) CHAS. HENRY HALL, 



T. B. WAKEMAN, 

 JAS. J. MAPES, 

 J. S. SKINNER. 



J. C. Parsons, Secretary.- 



