APPENDIX. XXXV 



Apples were not abundant. There were sufficient quantities and 

 varieties to sliow that the islanders can be supplied from their own 

 soil. Samples of Indian corn, pop-corn, potatoes, melons, squashes 

 and oats were surprisingly fine. 



The hall was tastefulh' ornamented with the handiwork of the 

 ladies, not excluding the usual patch- work bed-quilt, and some 

 mechanical craft of the men. 



Your delegate was too late to see the ploughing-match, and too 

 earl}' to attend the horse-trot. The pressure of business matters 

 connected with his own county fair compelled his earl}' return, leav- 

 ing that part of the Nantucket show to take care of itself, well 

 knowing that it needed no stimulus from delegates to make it 

 attractive. The public journal of the island represents it as a suc- 

 cess. 



The question might natural!}' come in here, "Does the society 

 need the stimulus of the state bounty ; or is the state bounty well 

 expended ? " The answer in the mind of your delegate would be, 

 " Yes." One familiar with favored localities for fruit and vegetable 

 growing on Long Island, in New Jersey and the banks of the Hudson, 

 could not resist the conclusion that with proper facilities for getting 

 to market, and a well-directed energy thrown into the business, the 

 residents of Nantucket ought to compete successfully with the out- 

 side world in supplying Boston and other markets with fruits, 

 vegetables, and large quantities of good butter. 



If tomatoes and small fruits can be sent with profit from Phila- 

 delphia by the steamboat-load, with equal ease and less time by 

 several hours they can be sent from Nantucket. 



A friend of the writer, each year sends his crop of strawberries 

 from an inland town, on Long Island, to Boston markets, and is 

 fully satisfied with the returns of sales. What should hinder a 

 Nantucket farmer from doing the same in six or eight hours' less 

 time ? If an afternoon-boat from Nantucket and a night-train from 

 Wood's Hole could be attached to the state bounty your delegate is 

 of the opinion that more rapid progress would be made in the agri- 

 culture of Nantucket. In comparison with many other farming- 

 districts in the State, it has many favored elements of success in 

 the way of securing fertilizers from the sea and sea-shore, a milder 

 winter climate, a longer season for farm labor, and an easy soil to 

 work, with the prospect of an enlarged home market for everything 

 the soil will furnish, caused by the influx of summer visitors and 

 residents, who, if welcomed by the usual hearty Nantucket welcome, 

 and such as was extended to your delegate, will often repeat their 

 visits. 



A. P. Peck, 



