22 ESSEX SOCIETY. 



the wind has free access to them, and no protection is given 

 the bee moth or miller. I have this season united two swarms 

 in one hive ; they were both second swarms, and, of course, 

 small. The first went into the hive without the box, the hole 

 in the top being covered ; the other came out two days later, 

 and went into the box, which in the evening was set in its 

 place upon the hive, — no disturbance was seen among the bees. 

 Of this plan, however, I speak with diffidence, as I have made 

 but one trial. My bees are daily visited in warm weather, and 

 cobwebs, &c., are carefully brushed away. The honey pre- 

 sented for your inspection was made between June 25th and 

 July 15th, of which there are about ten pounds. 

 BoxFORD, Sept. 25, 1850. 



Poultry. 



The Committee were pleased to see so large a collection of 

 choice fowls on the ground, notwithstanding the unfavorable 

 state of the weather, and have every reason to believe that 

 there would have been a much larger number, if the day had 

 been fine, and suitable to show poultry to advantage. The 

 evident improvement in this branch of rural economy was high- 

 ly gratifying to the contributors and spectators generally, as 

 well as to the committee, who feel under many obligations to 

 the various contributors for the admirable manner in which 

 their birds were arranged, and to the spectators for the interest 

 manifested by them in what we consider one of the most prof- 

 itable of our agricultural interests. We would impress upon 

 the minds of our agricultural friends, and others, the impor- 

 tance of bestowing more attention upon this kind of stock than 

 has hitherto been done. Our fowls furnish us with the choicest 

 luxuries of the most wholesome nature, and where can a 

 person be found, that would not take pleasure in tending a few 

 choice fowls, and feel himself amply repaid by the large 

 number of rich eggs that such birds would be sure to return 

 them for their kind attentions ? Where could we find a substi- 

 tute for their meat at our tables, or for their delicate and whole- 



