166 MIDDLESEX SOCIETY. 



Cambridge, Sept. ITth, 1849. 

 Joseph T. Buckingham, Esq. : 



Dear Sir, — Your favor of the 12th was received in due time, 

 and inclosing the application of Sylvester Reeves for the cran- 

 berry premium. 



The object of the premium is to elicit an improved method 

 of cultivating the cranberry, — how far the method of Mr. R. 

 answers this end, or comes within the terms of the offered pre- 

 miums, the committee must judge. 



To my mind, no experiment instituted before the existence 

 of this premium should be rewarded by it, inasmuch as the 

 public would have had the benefit of them without its existence 

 — and the experiment detailed by Mr. R. seems to me nothing 

 new, as it had been adopted by others, nor does it appear to me 

 to be a case of cultivation, as merely setting out or planting is 

 not properly cultivation, but only its first step. 



Should the committee decline to award the premium, I 

 would recommend a revision of the offer, defining more nearly 

 what is meant by cultivation, and giving three years for the ex- 

 periment, as it takes about that time to raise from seed, or to 

 propagate by roots. 



Very respectfully, your obedient serv't, 



NATHANIEL J. WYETH. 



After giving deliberate consideration to the numerous appli- 

 cations for premiums, and a careful and laborious examination 

 of the premises proposed, the committee have awarded the pre- 

 miums, and gratuities, as follows : — 



Farms. 



W. Buckminster, Framingham, 



E. A. & A. Lawrence, Pepperell, 



Daniel Weston, Lincoln, 



John Gordon, Brighton, 



N. P. Morrison, Somerville, gratuity, 



