MASS. BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 477 



Specimens of the cranberry exhibited, deserve particular no- 

 tice. It may be doubted whether larger or better specimens of 

 this fruit were found anywhere in the State. The cultivation 

 of the cranberry is, in some towns of the Cape, the most im- 

 portant branch of agricultural enterprise. Fifty bushels, a 

 sample of which was exhibited, were raised on a quarter of an 

 acre of land in Harwich, and were sold for three dollars per 

 bushel. Large tracts of peat swamp are being rapidly convert- 

 ed into cranberry lots by covering the turf with white sand, 

 and setting the vines in hills, one and a half feet apart. 



There is on the whole, an increasing interest in this anniver- 

 sary, and the cause of agriculture generally, upon the Cape, 

 and our experience seems to prove, that the holding of the fair 

 in different places in the county, tends to promote that in- 

 terest. 



The address by Judge C. E. Potter, of Manchester, N. H., 

 was delivered at two o'clock, in the open air, from the rising 

 ground in front of the Methodist church. It was a very sensible 

 and practical discourse. The speaker contrasted the early days 

 of New England agriculture, when the colonies were some- 

 times obliged to obtain corn from the natives, to prevent starva- 

 tion, with the present agricultural operations. He went into 

 a description of soils, pointing out the peculiarities of that of 

 Cape Cod, giving some of his own experience in the adapta- 

 tion of soils to certain vegetables. 



He spoke of the farmers of our country as ever having been 

 the true patriots, and always found on the side of good govern- 

 ment and opposed to outbreaks of passion, pride or ambition, 

 that have occasionally disturbed the peace and prosperity of 



the country. 



OBED BROOKS, Jr. 



Third Meeting of the Massachusetts Board or Agricul- 

 ture. 

 The board met, according to adjournment, at the State 

 House, in Boston, on Tuesday, February 3d, at lOi o'clock. 

 There was a full meeting of delegates, all the societies but 



