AGRICULTURE OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



FAEMS. 



MIDDLESEX NORTH. 



From the Report of the Committee. 



Whatever has been the cause, it is well known that within a 

 few years past the offering of Farm Premiums has been discon- 

 tinued by many of our county agricultural societies. 



This, as it appears to me, has been a great mistake. The 

 eflfect of these premiums upon the farming interests, as a general 

 rule, I believe to have been highly satisfactory. Without 

 detracting at all from the merits to which others may be entitled, 

 I would here say that at least two of the farms to which have 

 been awarded premiums by the Old Middlesex Society, and 

 which have come under my own observation particularly, have 

 held their position in the first rank to the present time. I refer 

 to the farm of the late Amos Carlton, of Chelmsford, and that 

 of Mr. Ephraim P. Spalding, president of this society. That 

 the proprietors of these two places were stimulated in their 

 efforts to make improvements, and that they attributed their 

 success, in some degree, to the increased interest felt, and extra 

 exertion made, while in the field as competitors for these 

 premivims, there can be no question. 



During the winter of 1863-4, Mr. Spalding — to whom I have 

 just referred — with a desire to advance the interests of the 

 younger portion of farmers in this community, tendered to this 

 society, through its secretary, the sum of forty dollars, to be 

 awarded as premiums to farmers under thirty years of age, 

 residing in this district. The donor was, without doubt, actuated; 



