'316 EOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



ed eight times duriii<^ tlie season. The exliil)itioii of pears, 

 Flemish Beauty and other prized varieties — of apples of many of 

 the best named varieties — (juinces, large, smooth, plump and 

 sound — cranberries, (from vines planted in May last,) solid 

 and fair — and other fruits shown, not only proves that the soil 

 of JJarnstable is capable of bearing abundant fruit crops, but 

 that, owing to atmospherical influences, the fruit is fairer, bears 

 a brighter color, and ripens earlier, than in many other sections 

 of the State. 



Dumeslic 31amifactures. — The premiums paid in tliis class, 

 upon articles made at the fireside, numbered one hundred and 

 eight. The character of the articles exhibited, told of the skill, 

 taste, and industry of their exhibitors. 



Grains. — The success recently had in growing wheat in 

 Barnstable County (the premium crop was thirty-six bushels to 

 the acre) is encouraging. 



Bread and Gingerbread. — The bread shown, made from 

 wheat, rye, corn, wheat and rye, corn and rye, wheat meslin, 

 rye meslin, and corn meslin, was deserving of tiie premiums 

 awarded and thanks besidesw A premium of three dollars for 

 the best card of gingerbread, and two dollars and one dollar 

 for the next and the next best, excited the ambition of a score 

 or more competitors. The premiums were earned many times 

 over. The four loaves of bread in the cxhiliition, and the 

 maker, sixteen years old and under, will be remembered by all 

 who noticed the success of the undertaking. 



The farmers of the Cape give evidence in their exhibition of 

 having formed a habit of yearly adding to their own experience 

 a knowledge of what is being done elsewhere in advancing the 

 cause of agriculture — thus giving scope to their ideas and 

 energies, and stimulating them to bear in due proportion, the 

 work which they have to do. Why should not facts, drawn 

 from the science of agriculture, be everywhere received as 

 guides to action, as well as the facts developed in the sciences 

 involved in other branches of employment? Sound judgment 

 will not deny or refuse to consider such facts simply because 

 they are new to us. It is not for lack of facts that we stumble 

 along the road to progress, but because so many farmers have 

 chosen to be " a law unto themselves" rather than to consult 

 the laws of nature. 



