1863. 



NEW j:XGLAND FARMER. 



31 



WESTFOBD ACADEMY. 



The autumnal term of this old and time honored 

 institution closed witli the examination on Tues- 

 day, 2i5th ult., and sustained the reputation which 

 it has so long held for thoroughness in whatever it 

 undertakes. One of the pleasing features of this 

 examination, was the recitation of a class in agri- 

 culture, the first we have seen. The class had 

 gone over but a few pages of the Manual, but 

 brief as it was, the class had stored up more ideas 

 that will aid in the practical duties of life, than in 

 any other recitation to which we listened of four 

 times its length. We believe this study will 

 prove something like the introduction of music 

 into our schools. It is so pleasing, that, like some 

 healthful condiment with one's dinner, it will aid, 

 rather than retard, other studies. 



Westford Academy was founded in 1792, with 

 the object "to encourage the means of all useful 

 science and literature, and render the instruction 

 of youth as free and little expensive as possible." 

 It has a fund of some $30,000, the income of 

 •which is employed to meet a certain portion of 

 its expenses, so that the cost to pupils is compara- 

 tively low. "The Academy is located in Westford 

 Centre, eight miles from Lowell, on a height of 

 land commanding an extensive prospect of beauti- 

 ful natural scenery. The town is remarkably free 

 from everything which can tempt the young to 

 evil habits and neglect of studies ; and is easy of 

 access from all directions, by railroad." Every 

 study necessary to fit pupils for college is taught 

 in the school, and it probably has as many gradu- 

 ates who are useful and influential persons of both 

 sexes, as can be found from any other similar in- 

 stitution in the State. 



Below we give a list of the present 



BOARD OF TRUSTEES. 



JOHN WRIGHT, Esq., Lowell, Peesident. 



JOEL ADAMS, Esq., " 



Hon. SIMOX BROWN, Concord. 



JOSEPH REYNOLDS, M. D., Concord. 



Hon. JOHN S. KEVES, Concord. 



Rev. CHARLES BABBIDGE, Pepperell. 



Rev. EPHRAIM ABBOT, Westford. 



J. W. P. ABBOT, Esq., Westford, Treasurer. 



BENJAMIN OSCJOOD, M. D., Westford. 



ZACCHECS REED, " 



EDWARD SYMMES, " 



EDWARD PRESCOTT, " 



SHERMAN D. FLETCHER, Westford, Secretary. 



LARGE DEPOSIT OF HONEY. 

 A somewhat singular discovery was made in a 

 house in St. Louis. The Argus gives the follow- 

 ing account of the story ; 



The inmates of one of our largest up-town man- 

 sion houses, a few days since were surprised to 

 find a lai-ge number of bees flying about in two of 

 the upper rooms. As the little fellows continued 

 to occupy the places, a bee naturalist was sent for 

 to investigate. On entering the rooms he ex- 

 claimed : "You have honey somewere here," and 

 proceeded to seaixh for it. On removing the fire- 



board, he discovered that one flue of the chimney 

 was full of honey-comb, which was hanging down 

 into the fireplace, and the honey dropping from 

 it ; proceeding to the top of the house to sound 

 the chimney, he found it the same j one flue of 

 the chimney was full, and the bees were industri- 

 ously at work there also. These flues of tlie chim- 

 ney had never been used; they were plastered 

 smooth inside, and were perfectly dark, a stone 

 having been placed on the top of each flue. The 

 bees had descended the adjoining flues, and found 

 small holes about ten inches from the top of the 

 chimney, leading into the closed flues, and through 

 these holes they had made their way in and out. 

 They have, as is sujjposed, occupied' these places 

 for three years, having been kept warm in the 

 winter by "the heat from the adjoining flues. On 

 removing the fire-board, the bees, seeing the great 

 light which had broken in upon them, descended 

 to the room and gathered on the windows, until 

 they were covered to the thickness of tin-ee inches. 

 It is estimated that there are in the two flues from 

 40,000 to 50,000 bees, and from 2000 to 3000 

 pounds of honey. 



For the New England Farmer. 

 KINDNESS TO ANIMALS. 



It is pleasant to notice the increased attention 

 paid by farmers generally to the comfort of stock. 

 And at this season, when flocks and herds are 

 gathered in from the hills and meadows where they 

 have been grazing in comparative independence, 

 and for months to come must be thrown on the 

 tender mercies of their owners for subsistence, it 

 is a relief to know they will be in general well 

 cared for. Snug shelters and warm stables await 

 them, and the prospect of exchanging green pas- 

 tures for winter quarters is any thing but dismal. 

 Their food, too, is so contrived as to make the 

 change less violent than it used to be. Milch 

 cows, for example, are not compelled to reduce 

 their suj)plies for want of something to promote 

 their milky secretions ; but the transition from 

 green to dry fodder is made easy and natural by 

 roots and the like. The mild, sunny pasture-sea- 

 son is almost prolonged till the time of the year 

 for it comes roimd again, by liglit, cozy stalls, 

 where they can ruminate and wax fat without 

 kicking. 



Does not the faithful beast of draft and burden 

 especially appreciate the kindness of his master 

 during the season when he is usually most at 

 leisure to enjoy it? How he "feels liis oats" and 

 the curry-comb, and how genially he whinnies re- 

 cognition of the familiar step and call. And when 

 led out for a drive, he can hardly contain himself 

 for joy at the chance of thus serving his kind ]^ro- 

 prietor. But the yoimglings are naturally tlie pets 

 of the farm, and at the dosing in of the c(>ld term, 

 almost any heart will warm toward them. It is 

 not one cosset calf or lamb that is to be singled 

 out, but all come in for their share of the comforts 

 provided. One may be scrawny, anotlicr hack- 

 ward in development, but it is more his misfor- 

 tune than fault, and so he shall not be slighted 

 and abused for what he can't help. On the other 

 hand, such cases sometnnos call out the more sym- 

 pathy, and it is curious to see how the poor, little 

 lagging ones pick up pluck and flesh, now and 



