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The Rev. Leander T. Chamberlain read an extract copied from 

 the Province Laws of Massachusetts, 1 736-1 761, p. 153, entitled 

 " An Act to Prevent Damage to English Grain, Arising from 

 Barberry Bushes." All persons in the province having barberry- 

 bushes growing on their land, were ordered to destroy them 

 before a named date. Severe penalties were described for failure 

 to comply with this law. A brief discussion of the subject fol- 

 lowed. The act is here printed in full : 



An Act to Prevent Damage to English Grain, Arising from 

 Barberry Bushes 



Whereas it has been found, by experience, that the blasting of wheat and other 

 English grain, is often occasioned by Barberry Bushes, to the great loss and damage 

 of the inhabitants of this Province, 

 Be it thei-efore enacted by the Governotir, Cotincil, and House of Representatives, 



That whoever, whether community or private person, hath any Barberry Bushes, 

 standing or growing in his or their land within any of the towns in this province, he 

 or they shall cause the same to be extirpated or destroyed on or before the tenth day 

 of June, Anno Domini one thousand seven hundred and sixty. 

 Be it further enacted. 



That if there shall be any Barberry Bushes standing or growing, in any land within 

 this Province, after the said tenth day of June, it shall be lawful, by virtue of this act, 

 for any person whomsoever, to enter the lands wherein such Barberry Bushes are, 

 first giving three months' notice of his intention so to do, to the owner or occupant 

 thereof, and to cut them down, or pull them up by the roots, and then to present a 

 fair account of his labour and charge therein to the owner or occupant of the said land ; 

 and if such owner or occupant shall neglect or refuse, by the space of two months 

 next after the presenting said account, to make to such person reasonable payment as 

 aforesaid, then the person who cut down or pulled up such bushes, may bring his 

 action against such owner or occupant, owners or occupants, before any Justice of 

 the Peace, if under forty shillings ; or otherwise, before the Inferior Court of Common 

 Pleas in the County where such bushes grew ; who, upon proof of the cutting down 

 or pulling up of such bushes, by the person who brings the action, or such as were 

 employed by him, shall and is hereby, respectively, empowered to enter up judgment 

 for him to recover double the value of the reasonable expense and labour in such ser. 

 vice, and award execution accordingly. 

 Be it further enacted. 



That if the lands on which such Barberry Bushes grow are common and undivided 

 lands, that then an action may be brought, as aforesaid, against any one of the pro- 

 prietors, in such manner as the laws of this Province provide in such cases where 

 proprietors may be sued. 

 Be it further etiacted, 



That the Surveyors of the Highways, whether publick or private, be and hereby 

 are empowered and required, ex officio, to destroy and extirpate all such Barberry 

 Bushes as are or shall be in the highways in their respective wards or districts ; and 

 if any such shall remain after the aforesaid tenth day of June, Anno Domini one 



