APPENDIX. xlix 



After an excellent dinner in the upper hall, an able address was 

 delivered by the Hon. J. B. D. Cogswell, which was followed by 

 remarks from other gentlemen and from your delegate. 



The Claflin Guards, of Newton, had been invited to be present 

 and do escort duty on the occasion, and they turned out in goodly 

 numbers, and, with the Newton City Band, did much to enliven the 

 occasion. 



The whole closed with the annual ball, which was held in the 

 upper hall. Your delegate was not present in the evening, but all 

 who were agreed that it was a very enjoyable occasion for both 

 young and old. 



We would, in closing, express our thanks for kind attentions 

 received^ and especially so for those shown us by our associate, 

 Major Phinney and family, during our visit to old Barnstable. 



James F. C. Hyde. 



NANTUCKET. 



The nineteenth exhibition of the Nantucket Agricultural Society 

 was held September 30 and October 1. The high wind that pre- 

 vailed did not prevent the farmers from bringing their contributions 

 to the fair. The officers were full of energy and enthusiasm, and the 

 arrangements for the fair seemed to be complete. 



Agricultural Park, where the fair is held, is situated about one 

 mile east of the town, is inclosed by a fence, and contains a half-mile 

 track for the exhibition and trial of horses, and the grounds afford 

 ample space for the exhibition of live-stock, ploughing-match, 

 games, etc., each and all contributing to the interest and pleasure of 

 the exhibition. The grounds of the society are planted upon their 

 outskirts with trees, mostly pines, affording not only a pleasant 

 rural aspect, but shelter from gales of wind which were blowing 

 both days of the fair. 



The island of Nantucket has a large area of sandy and compara- 

 tively unproductive lands ; all such lands, wherever situated, are con- 

 stantly suggesting improvements, and how to improve them is a 

 question where theory and practice and capital are usually at 

 variance. We would modestly suggest that trees are the most 

 etately and luxuriant of the vegetable kingdom, and that there are 

 but few lands whe*re some of the useful trees cannot be grown, when 

 properly planted, and afterwards receive judicious cultivation for a 

 few years. Within the past thirty-five years many acres of the 

 lands on this island have been planted with pitch and other pine 

 7* 



