144 ON ESSAYS. 



It met the hearty approval of them all. Some queries arose in 

 their minds as to the use of Gypsum, or Plaster of Paris, and the 

 ashes of Anthracite Coal, as manures, nevertheless they will not 

 venture to interpose their conjectures, in opposition to what may 

 be presumed to be the results of well conducted experiments. 

 The timely suggestion of hints to induce such experiments, 

 may often be as beneficial as the experiments themselves. 



The paper on " diaries, or farm accounts," (a subject allud- 

 ed to in our Report the last year,) carries upon its face its own 

 demonstration. Whatever is worthy of being remembered, is 

 worthy of being recorded, both for our own benefit., and the in- 

 struction of those around us. The perusal of this essay brought 

 distinctly to mind the practical illustration of this subject by 

 Washington, and the theoretical suggestion by Colman, both 

 of them teachers whose precepts will grow brighter by use. 

 Whoever shall attempt to make such a record, will surely find 

 therein an ample reward. 



The paper "on the rearing of turkeys," cannot fail to awa- 

 ken the most agreeable sympathies of every thankful heart. 

 Where is the son of New England, who cannot cast his thoughts 

 back to that period of his youth, when his eye glistened with 

 the hope of the " fatted turkey," under the parental roof on 

 "Thanksgiving Day," — a time honored Puritan festival, that 

 should never be forgotten. Whatever shall have a tendency 

 to keep alive these customs of our fathers, is worthy of being 

 cherished, especially when the suggestions bear indisputable 

 evidence of being the result of actual observation. This too, 

 we consider a good model of an essay. 



The comparative merits of the ditierent essays approved, and 

 consequent labor in the preparation of the same, induces the 

 suggestion, that in the offer of these premiums, a discretionary 

 power should be given, to make the premiums proportionate to 

 the value of the production, not exceeding a prescribed sum. 

 This form of offer has been adopted by other Societies, and it 

 appears to be worthy of imitation. 



By order of the Committee.* J. W. PROCTOR. 



Salem, Nov. 15, 1850. 



* F. Howes, of Salem, E. Mosely, of Newburyport, Rev. D. G. Estes, of 

 Amesbury, J. Little, of Newbury, J. AV. Troctor, of Danvcrs. 



