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306 HISTORY: OF BERKSHIRE.
Walker ¢onstable. Of these persons, Mr. Birchard way
the last survivor. After along and useful life, he died,
in the consolation of that religion which he had many
years proféssed, July 27, 1828, aged about 90.
_ It was originally intended that the town should be of
‘the contents of six miles square ; but owing to the ponds
included in it, (it is understood, ) it was laid out a little
Jarger. The chartered limits were 8 miles by 4 and
‘210 rods. But various alterations have taken place
‘since the ‘charter was given, and the lines of the town
‘are now Very irregular. In 1783, that part‘of the town
which lay north-east of the west branch of Agawam or
Westfield river, was'united with certain other tracts, and
‘formed into the present town of Middlefield. In 1798, a
‘traet lying between'this town and Blanford,and that part
df Otis which was then called Loudon, was annexed to
the town on the south. -In-1810, anether-smaller tract
was annexed to the town-from that. part of. Otis which
-was formerly called Bethlehem... By these alterations,
the town. has gained vomevhat more ‘than. it:has lost,
and. the contents-are now about 26,000 acres. a
The surface is: hilly,‘broken and.rocky. -Stones of
-almost every. species exist, but the granite prevails, fre-
-quently impregnated with iron .and sulphur. :It-is uni-
-formly found not far from:the surface, and in many pla-
-ees-rises ‘ebove it, in huge masses, and in‘ unblushing ©
“nakedness,” -
. ‘The soil ‘is hard and cold:;-.very little clay or. sand.is
‘found. © The natural: growth: of timber is that’ which: is
seommoen jintthe: vicinity, excepting walnut,: chesnut,
rand: white oak...--Attempts have been made to.eultivate
these, -but with little success.: The varieties of. fir-are
«indigenous ; but. when removed,*a-crop-of.-beach and
»maple; commonly: succeeds, especially-on the hills
~- When well, cultivated the ground ‘vields rye: and.corn
gn: moderate quantities 5. wheat. is ‘ not-at. home’?.in
‘this soil. The farmer finds his principal account inthe
-eultivation of grass.’ Indifferent horses, excellent neat
-gattle and fine sheep cover the hills. .Of-course;: beef,
ibutter,/cheese, wool, and its fabrics, conatitute the prin«
fgipal tacome. 5 soy or
~The water is: uniformly -salubrious, »The streams:are
many. end: rapid p wut ‘aos they /-arecall Retives:.of the
eee trate