22 



and in the crops raised in this county as there have been in 

 the fisheries. In looking back to the transactions of this 

 society fifty years ago, I find how much interest was taken 

 then in the culture of the mulberry tree and the raising 

 of silk worms, -$25 being the first of five premiums offered by 

 the Society for the best nursery of White Mulberry trees for 

 the making of silk. Then three premiums of $30, $20 and 

 $10 were offered for the best plantations of 1000 trees on not 

 less than an acre, in the third year's growth from seed, the 

 offer continuing for five years on eacli of the following kinds. 

 viz.: — White Oak, Locusts, Larch, White Ash and Chestnut. 



Among the " Hints to Farmers," a record is given of crops 

 raised at different times, in different parts of the county, to 

 the acre, such as Wheat, 26 bushels ; Indian Corn, 117 1-4 ; 

 Barley, over 52^ ; Potatoes, 518| ; Carrots, 900 ; Mangel 

 Wurtzel, 1340 ; Ruta Bagas, 688 ; Beets, 783 ; English Turnips, 

 814; Onions, 651 ; which are considered pretty good crops in 

 hese days. Then in those years the ladies received premiums 

 for such articles as " List Carpeting for rooms and stairs." 

 " Grass Bonnets, made from meadow grass of very delicate 

 manufacture," " Silk stockings and lace veils, samplers and 

 knit purses," one premium being for " a Bonnet made of the 

 down of milk weed." 



In 1885, $15 was offered as a premium " for the best barrel 

 of cider produced at the exliibition of 1836, made within the 

 county. If found worthy of the first premium, to be used at 

 the table without any additional payment." 



Orchards of apples and pears were then in their infancy, 

 when compared with the present. I am informed by one of 

 the largest shippers of apples that last year, the " off year " 

 for apples, 200,000 barrels, the product of Essex county, 



