4(9 ON DOMESTIC MANUFACTURES. 



Amounting in the whole to the sum of one hundred and eight 

 dollars. 



In presenting this report, they are happy to observe, what 

 indeed must be known to all who have visiied the room where 

 the articles were exhibited, that their number was unusually 

 large, and in general of a superior quality. It will be readily 

 perceived that this increase in number, considering the limited 

 time allowed the committee for examination, must increase the 

 difficulty of examining and comparing them so as to judge cor- 

 rectly of their relative merits. All the committee assume is an 

 honest desire to fulfil impartially the trust committed to them, 

 feeling no ways confident that exact justice has in all instances 

 been done. 



There were several articles for which premiums or gratuities 

 are awarded, and others perhaps nearly or quite as meritorious, 

 not thus distinguished, upon which the committee would have 

 been glad to have made some remarks. Among them may be 

 mentioned, specimens of different kinds of dressed leather, a 

 great numbsr of very substantial hearth rugs, several pair of 

 linen hose, a variety of beautiful articles manufactured from the 

 milk weed, (asclepias syriaca,) and some interesting specimens 

 of coloring done by Mrs. Merrill of Newbury. But our 

 time did not allow of such discriminate records as would now 

 make our remarks of the best service to the Society. 



An unusual number of the specimens exhibited were the 

 work of children from 4 to 12 years of age, many of them 

 executed at leisure hours or between schools, and afford a happy 

 and encouraging evidence of the industry of that interesting 

 portion of our population. Your committee were at some diffi- 

 culty to determine what should be done in relation to them, but 

 concluded finally, as it was the great object of this Society to 

 encourage industry and the development of the mechanical 

 powers, they would recommend a gratuity of a dollar to each 

 one whose work gave creditable evidence of a desire and ability 

 to do well. Your committee think however, that should the 

 Society comply with this recommendation, it ought not to be 



