ESSEX SOCIETY. 75 



have the vines cover and shade the ground, if possible, before 

 the drought of summer. But in case the season should be \vet> 

 caution against mildew in the vines may be necessary ; there- 

 fore, a proper location for the potato field, appears to demand 

 our consideration. I think it will be acknowledged by every 

 one that if we plant on a swell, or on a side hill, or in some 

 location where the vines will be exposed to the air, and enjoy 

 freely their natural element, they will be less likely to mildew 

 than when planted in a hollow or on a level ; and the super- 

 abundant rain will of course run and be disposed of. If we 

 have raised thrifty and productive apple trees, or sound and 

 heavy corn in a certain hollow, does it naturally follow that 

 we can raise tolerable potatoes there ? 

 Methuen, JSIov. 4, 1850. 



Report on Essays. 



The committee have examined the several Essays placed in 

 their hands by the Secretary, without any inquiry by whom 

 they were written, or whence they came. They understand 

 the premiums to have been offered, for such essays on any 

 agricultural topic, as in their judgment are worthy of publica- 

 tion. Three of those presented come fully up to the standard 

 required, and consequently are entitled to the premium of ten 

 dollars each. 



The committee are pleased that this mode of diffusing in- 

 formation is so favorably estimated. It has now been contin- 

 ued, in this and other societies, for several years, with marked 

 approbation. They cannot doubt that experiments of this kind, 

 embodying and condensing what has been learned, on a particu- 

 lar topic, may be quite as useful to those who engage in them, 

 and to the public generally, as experiments in the cultivation 

 of particular crops. In the one case, the cultivator finds his 

 reward mainly in the crop produced, in the other, the public 

 are mainly benefited, by the mental efforts of the author. He 

 that applies the mind, to the improvement of society, is no less 

 a working man, than he who labors with his hands, — all is 

 labor for the general good. 



