by these associations, tlian to exist in the finest palace in the 

 land without them. When -will our irreverent Yankee mind 

 give an English meaning to that richest of words, "Home?" 

 It exasperates me when men talk of leaving the community 

 wliere they and their ancestors before them were born and 

 reared, merely because they may be able to better their condi- 

 tion pecuniarily ? Nature oftentimes punishes this irreverence 

 severely. Of the scores of families who have left home from 

 my nati^-c town to settle in the far AVest, in the last thirtv 

 years, Avith barely an exception all who had sufficient means at 

 command returned, having realized in their absence that 

 ■'Home" was more than merely an abiding place. 



Our friend Merrill made a general entry of vegetables, but 

 after the sad misfortune that befel members of his fomily at the 

 Revere accident, withdrew it. A member so prominently ac- 

 tive heretofore is greatly missed ; he has the lieartfclt sympa- 

 thies of us all in his great l)ereavement. 



The conmiittee have made tlie following awards : 



For best conducted experiment in raising Potatoes, diploma 

 and $10, to Paul T. Winkley, of Xewburyport. 



For best Conducted experiment in raising Puta Baga, diplo- 

 ma and $10, to Thomas Saunders, of Hamilton. 



For best conducted experiment in raising Onions, diploma 

 and $10, t(. Joseph X. Polfe, of Xewbxu-y. 



The committee Avould likewise reconnnend that a jrratuitv of 

 $10 be awarded to A. P. Xoyes, of Middleton, for his superior 

 crop of onions. 



For the Committee — James J. H. Gregory, Chairman. 



STATEMENT OF JOSEPH X. ROLFE. 



The half acre of land upon which the onions were grown 

 that I offer for premium, is a dark loam, with a clay sub-soil. 

 It was planted Avith onions the two previous years. The land 

 was ploughed about six inches deep, the manure was spread 



