VEGETABLES. 423 



in England, about the middle of the fifteenth century, but they 

 failed. In 1597, Gerarde experimented with it in his garden, 

 but it drooped by reason of the cold. Large quantities were 

 imported from Spain and the Canaries, about that time, and 

 used as a dessert. 



Its propagation here, as in the national garden at Paris, 

 according to the foregoing statement of Mr. Bates, is, by starting 

 plants in a hot-bed, whence they are transplanted to the garden 

 or field, and cultivated like the common potato. Favorable 

 crops have been produced in this way here, and hopes are enter- 

 tained by some, that it may yet be so far acclimatized as to render 

 its cultivation economical in this State. Mr. Bates's experi- 

 ments, as set forth in his statements of the last two seasons, 

 seem to show, that all who desire to raise this luxury, can do 

 so by starting the plants in a hot-bed, (which every farmer can 

 provide for a moderate outlay,) and transplanting at the proper 

 time to ground prepared for their cultivation. — Ed.] 



ESSEX. 



From the Report of the Committee. 



The number, quality and variety of specimens on exhibition 

 in this department, were pleasing proofs of the high state of 

 agriculture in the vicinity. Squashes, potatoes and cabbages 

 were exhibited in great variety, and gave character to the exhi- 

 bition. Among the cabl^ages we noticed three heads of a gigan- 

 tic size, weighing over forty pounds each. As our Celtic brethren 

 "value the cabbage in proportion to its size, this monster variety 

 finds a ready and profitable market, and must therefore be 

 worthy of the attention of those farmers who supply our city 

 markets. 



The exhibition abounded in mammoth squashes. This fea- 

 ture was certainly favorable to the funds of this society, for huge 

 exceptions will always draw the masses, but does it promise well 

 for agriculture ? We hope that this portends no monster squash 

 mania, for none of those exhibited, as far as could be ascertained 

 by inquiry, were reliable as a good table squash ; on the con- 

 trary, some of the finest looking, including those splendid ones, 

 round and flat in form, of a rich orange color, were, in quality, 

 among the poorest. 



