42 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



REPORT ON NEEDLE -WORK. 



[From the Report of the Committee of the Martha's Vineyard Society.] 



Perhaps to the greatest number, or to many of tlie mem- 

 bers of the Agricultural Society, the table of needle-work 

 may, at first thought, seem to be of small or no importance, 

 especially so when compared with the fruits of the labor of 

 our husbands and brothers. The nice fat sheep, gentle, 

 sleek cows, noble draught horses and oxen, the well-trained 

 family horses, swift racers, and the nimble apple-pickers are 

 but few of the interesting and attractive exhibitions to be 

 found on our pleasant society grounds. 



As we enter the Agricultural Hall we are not surprised 

 that many of our delegates from the State Board have 

 looked with wonder and amazement at the products of our 

 soil, and have given the farmers of Dukes County the credit 

 of exhibiting vegetables of all kinds equal, and many varie- 

 ties superior, to any displayed in other counties. The island 

 cranberries are far superior to any raised in the State. There 

 were fine apples, luscious peaches and pears, grapes (many 

 varieties) in abundance, — rich, sweet clusters, comparing 

 well, perhaps, with the grapes of Eshcol, — also many other 

 fi-uits and veijetables too numerous to mention. 



"While gazing at the abundance of beautiful flowers of 

 rich and varied hues which fill the many vases, and lingering 

 in their delicious perfume, the attention is drawn to the fine 

 display of paintings and drawings, which are well worth}* of 

 admiration. The bread, cake, butter, cheese, pickles, and 

 preserves are all tasted, and found good. They are examined 

 and compared, and, by careful decision of competent ladies, 

 the highest prize is awarded to the maker of the best article. 



Walk now around the tables of needle-work, the sum and 

 result of the greatest labor and cunning invention. Almost 

 any article that can be named, either useful or ornamental, 

 may there be found, wrought in infancy and old age. A part 

 of an infant's wardrobe was noticed, wrought by a lady over 



