208 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



of land. Formerly, when the sheep ran at large without shep- 

 herds, they became very unruly, and constantly trespassed 

 upon the cultivated fields, unrestrained by the insufficiency of 

 the fences — and undoubtedly it was a great nuisance. The 

 fields are generally poorly fenced on account of the entire want 

 of fencing material on the island — one would suppose that 

 hedging would have been resorted to years ago. These lands 

 were originally conveyed by Francis Lovelace, Governor of 

 New York, in 1671 ; in 1717, under a statute of Queen Anne, 

 they were made into a property in common, and though much 

 has been set off in severalty, yet it is all open and uninclosed. 



It would seem as if this great tract of land, so suitable for a 

 specific purpose, and utterly valueless except for that, should 

 be made available, even if it is necessary to resort to further 

 legislation. 



I believe that the Island of Nantucket contains the essentials 

 of a high state of agriculture. Within five years the cattle and 

 cows were increased one-third, the horses almost quadrupled, 

 the swine trebled, the crop of hay has been doubled, and the 

 Indian corn almost trebled. 



Undoubtedly as the maritime and commercial business 

 declines, the attention, energy and skill of the people will be 

 directed to the cultivation and development of the resources of 

 the soil, as a leading profession — and to the prescriptive boast 

 of Nantucket — of brave and daring sailors, and intelligent and 

 beautiful women, will be added that of skilful and successful 

 farmers, and accomplished farmer wives and daughters. 



To the officers of the society, to Capt. E. W. Gardner, and 

 A. J. Morton, Esq., I am especially indebted for courtesies, 

 information, and opportunities of observation. 



James S. Grennell. 



MARTHA'S VINEYARD. 



The undersigned, delegate of the Martha's Vineyard Agri- 

 cultural Society, charged with the duty of presenting to this 

 Board a history of that society, and a report of its first exhibi- 

 tion, respectfully submit the following: — 



