92 



To J. J. II. (h'cgory of ^lurblchcad, for Iveport on A'ege- 

 tablos, the first premium of |10 and Diploma. 



To Joseph How of Methuen, for Report on Agricultural 

 implements, the second premiiun of $8. 



To -7. L. Hubbard of Peabody, for IJeport on I7nder- 

 (h'aining, the third premium of |(i. 



It will thus appear that the Committee have been able to 

 gi^e everybody a premium, and that there are two left for 

 which there are no competitors. This certainly does not indi- 

 cate a Acry sharp competition among our farmers and others 

 interested in agricultural subjects for the rewards offered by 

 the Societv. Mv are rather surprised at this, as there has 

 ne^er been more need of intelligent discussion by men of 

 practical experience of tlie subjects that arc connected with 

 the business of farming. In many of oiu' farming communi- 

 ties the question, whether under the present condition of ex- 

 iiausted soils and expensive lal)or, the business can be made a 

 remunerative one, 1)ecomes more [)ressing with each year, so 

 that it is very desirable to get all the light Ave can from prac- 

 tical men as to tlie best modes of conducting this important 

 business. 



The re})nrts presented to us were ;dl interesting and valu- 

 able. What varieties of the different vegetables are most de- 

 sirable, and what are the best methods for their cultivation 

 iu'e inquiries of immediate concern, not only to the farmer but 

 to every one having a garden ; this subject is treated in a most 

 interesting manner in the report of ]Mr. Gregory. 



The lvej)ort of the Committee on Agricultural Implements 

 <leals Avith a matter of A'ital importance to the farmer. Had 

 it not been for the great ])rogrcss there has been made Avithin 

 n fcAv years in the introduction of labor-saving implements it 

 Avould have been impossible, Avithout ruinous expense, to have 

 completed much of the necessary farm Avork, particularly in 

 securing the hay crop. Tliis need and demand for machines, 

 to supply the .scarcity of manual lal>or, has very naturally 



