146 REPORT ON ESSAYS. 



The privilege of examining an Essay on Farm Accounts tad been 

 anticipated. The failure of its appearance is the more regretted, as 

 the necessity of definite instruction on this subject seems to be almost 

 universally admitted. It is hoped the promised Essay will lose 

 nothing by being wintered over, but that it will come forth, another 

 season, full grown and perfect. If the interval shall be rightly im- 

 proved, perhaps the author and his readers, will both be benefitted by 

 the delay. 



No class of persons, within our knowledge, proceed so much on 

 the " run for luck principle " as the farmer. They cast their seed 

 upon the furrow, and trust Providence for the result. True, she 

 frequently smiles upon their labors, but none the less when they sed- 

 ulously solicit her favors. 



After the day of grace had gone by, an offer was made of an 

 Essay on " Root Crops." But the Trustees, upon deliberation, de- 

 termined not to be tempted into a deviation from the rule prescribed. 

 Possibly what is lost in one form, may be made up in another. The 

 subject is one on which much can be advantageously said. The com- 

 parative value of these crops is but imperfectly understood. Many 

 raise them without distinct ideas of their use. If farmers would 

 carefully observe their effects on the soils on which they are grown, 

 as well as on the animals to which they are fed, and give an account 

 of their observation, they would instruct themselves, ^and do a good 

 service to their neighbors. 



It is gratifying to know that the plan of rewarding well written 

 Essays has found favor with several of our sister Societies. If per- 

 severed in for a few years, we have confidence to believe, it will be 

 the means of eliciting and condensing much valuable information. 



Salem, Nov. 19, 1849. 



J. W. PROCTOR, } n 



D. P. KING, ^ Committee. 



