89 



one at our disposal), would suggest the oflering of a second 

 premium, or a limited sum in gratuities ; — for while it is con- 

 sidered a profitable expenditure, for the Society to offer several 

 premiums, on some exhibiti@ns, at our fair, where only a few 

 specimens are exhibited, which may, oftentimes, be selected, 

 where the principal portion of the crop might be far below the 

 average ; therefore, for the encouragement of still more wor- 

 thy crops, your committee recommend the offering of a second 

 premium, in the future, on all crops in this class, feeling that 

 with the accompanying statement, each competitor is re- 

 quired to make, tends toward improving the educational value 

 of our Yearly Transactions. 



It is a fact worthy of note, that among all the occupations 

 of mankind, there is none in which a greater mutual feeling 

 exists towards one another ; it being the rule, and not the excep- 

 tion, that farmers are ever ready to give their experience of 

 their successes, in the different branches of their occupation, 

 for the benefit of their fellow-men. 



We note, with pleasure, an increasing interest manifested in 

 our county, in the direction of experimenting by hybridization 

 for the purpose of improving many varieties of vegetables, by 

 endeavoring to harmonize the good qualities of two or more 

 varieties and combine them in one ; thereby, producing a va- 

 riety, superior, in many respects, to the original. Our home 

 seedsmen are alive to this branch of the business, carefully 

 catering to our wants, — being ever mindful of their own reward 

 and future prosperity. Essex county may well be proud of 

 the achievements made in this line, in the improved varieties 

 of Cabbages, Tomatoes, Sweet Corn and Squashes, which 

 have had their origin in the county, in the last few years, and 

 which are doing credit to their producer. Among the many 

 that might be spoken of. in the highest praise, are the Essex 

 Hybrid Squash, Early Marblehead Sweet Corn, Essex Hybrid 

 Tomato, and many of the standard Seedling Potatoes, have 

 been originated and perfected here. 



