30 ESSEX SOCIETY. 



On Farms. 



The trustees of the society have often expressed the opinion 

 that the examination of a number of the best managed farms 

 in different parts of the county, by their committees appointed 

 from year to year, for that purpose, having a full and minute 

 account of the entire cultivation and management to accom- 

 pany their report, would furnish to the members of the society, 

 through their annual pamphlet, a very valuable source of in- 

 formation. 



To accomplish this desirable object, liberal sums have been 

 offered in premiums, and the regulations accompanying the 

 offers varied, from time to time, to meet the wants and induce 

 a larger number of competitors into the field. Notwithstand- 

 ing which, few entries have ever been made, and many of the 

 years not a solitary one, on which the committee could form a 

 practical report. The present year, a new and apparently a 

 more liberal mode accompanied the offer. 



The sum of one hundred dollars was placed at the disposal 

 oi the committee, to be awarded in sums not exceeding twen- 

 ty-five dollars each, provided a sufficient number of meritori- 

 ous claims should be made. And while the committee would 

 express their high gratification in the opportunity furnished 

 them of examining, in the northern part of the county, a num- 

 ber of well managed farms, it must be accompanied with their 

 regret, that they were not favored with the privilege of exam- 

 ining other farms in different parts of the county, enabling 

 them to compare the different modes of cultivation, and variety 

 of crops cultivated, with the different success. The commit- 

 tee were directed to visit such farms as were entered for pre- 

 mium, and all others, where the owners should signify a wish 

 to receive a call from the committee, and a readiness to furnish 

 a statement of their management. 



Notwithstanding in the County of Essex, much of the enter- 

 prise is called to other pursuits than agriculture, there is a good 

 market and a fertile soil, and much of it highly cultivated in all 

 parts of the county. And at the present time, in the opinion of 

 the committee, the owners and cultivators of the soil here, have 



