The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1825-12-07
Worcester agricultural Society.

WorceSter HgracalturaI Society.
The Committee appointed 10 inspect Farms,
| Manufactures, and Household concerns in the
| Third District, including seven towns in the
northwest part of the County of Worcester,
viz. HubbGrdsOn, TempletOn, Gardner, HIN
ctendOn, Phdlipston, .4thol and Royalsfon,
having attended to the duty assigned them,
respectfully
REPORT,
| That they consulted upon the spirit and
design of their instructions, and thought it
proper To- waive the requirement of an "appli-
cation in writing from ten ormore freeholdcrs',
in town, to visit the same, as il was fore
seen that the independent, but unassuming,
spirit of the higher class OF farmers would re-
volt st the appearance Of soliciting notice or
applause. Beside, by proceeding without
notice, they had an opportunity of seeing the
farms, household concerns &c. in their COM
mon, everyday dress, and in order to remove
| every objection TO an experiment which they
think may hereafter prove TO be useful, the
Committee hereby relinquish all claim to
compensation, either for their time or trouble,
or expences incurred by them.
They devoted six days to this object, and
visited all the towns in the district, and were
!
permit. and they were grat6ed in finding
throughout the district general and increas-
ing attention to the interests of agriculture
The uneven, rough, and rocky surface Of this
part fthe County is apparent to the eye Of the
| traveller, and the subject of frequent remark.
| Hence an unfaYorable opinion of the soil and
husbandry in these towns has been generally
entertained. The newness of the towns, and
the attention TO lumber business, have also
contributed TO give currency to the same
| opinion. This opinion the committee believe
to he erroneous, and that the soil and hus-
| bandry Of this section of the County, are such
AS TO remove all doubt of its heing legiti-
mate member of the Heart of the Common
wealth. But if the people here inhabit a
soil hard to be subdued, it is but Just to re-
mark, that they possess spirit of enterprise
and courage equal to the task, and not sur
| passed in this or any other country. Let il
be remembered, that sixty years only have
/ elapsed since these towns, on an average, be-
gan to be settled; and far the greatest part Of
the lands have been cleared within forty. OF
course, the attention of the farmer was, till
late, necessarily turned to converting his TO-
rests into fields; while in older towns, he has
/ been employ ed in clearing his fields OF rocks,
and embellishing his farm with stone walls.
One Of the mos: interesting facts occurring TO
the committee was, that large proportion Of
the best farms in this district are still in the
hands of the first settlers, that is, of those,
who began their farms in their wilderness
state; and such is the strong and pleasant i'm
preston left by these men on the minds OF
the committee, that they cannot leave them
without being INDUCED in passing void OF
applause. The frankness, hospitality, and
truly independent spirit of these venerable
contributors TO their country's wealth and hap
pincss, were more refreshing than the deliciou:
fruits every where presented. And if il be
proper, as it is popular, 10 speak in terms o
enthusiastic applause of the old soldiers, who
commenced the war OF the revolution, and
fought on 81 Bunker's height" not less is due
to these early patrons of peace and the peace
tul arts, who, with the weapons Of peace
the implements of husbandry- invaded hos
of lofty, firm, and hard-hearfed fees, that
surrender not to powder and ball, but require
close engagement, and always stand theil
ground, till brought dOten by hard and repeated
bloics. These heroes fought sipgle-handed
and alone, but were never known to quit the
battle ground, till they had conquered the
enemy and cleared the field. These fields are
now the monuments of their Valor and ihe
virtues, more durable, and more eloquent
than the sculptured marble. In these are writ
ten the declaration Of their independence, the
charter of their rights, and the history,of thei
lives. And who would more naturally. oil
more honestly feel his Independence, than ths
farmer, who can look wide around him, and
say, These lands are mine. Those flock!
which are spreading over the hills, are mine
These fields, now waving in luxuriant yer
dure, and those you see loaded with In,
fruits of the earth, found in the rude anC
rugged state Of nature, and with the labor o
my owa hands brought into their presen
beautiful and productive situation" Nor wa
it in tie peaceful pursuits Of husbandry alone
that these patriarchal patriots were distinguish
{ ed. When their country called to arms, the
were not slow 10 grid on their armours ant
quit their homes. They were the braves
among tho brave. They were the best O
soldiers then, and then the best of citizens
They not only defended the soil, but the,
almost made the soil itself And now, as the,
are retiring from the busy scenes of life, the.
are teaching an important and instructive les
; son to the rising generation, 1.-THE effect c
,, temperance, frugality, and industry, on health
wealth, and long life. May Heavea's bles
sings attend them TO their long home.
Now the tour Of investigation, in order
The Committee were Of opinion, that tn
making honorable mention Of many dstin
guished farms and farmers might teud to ex
. cite laudable spirit of emulation, and the
. have adopted that course.
In Hu5bdrdston there is much good naturs
soil. The hills and swells Of land are fertil
and beautiful, and a considerable number {
! good and well managed farms are found j