58 



erly comprehends only such articles as are designed for culinary 

 use ; Avhile the general cluiracter of our gardens combines with 

 them others designed for ornament, and to gratify a taste for the 

 beautiful in nature. We therefore propose that hereafter distinct 

 premiums be offered for a " Vegetable Garden " and a " ilower 

 Garden." — or two premiums for both combined. 



For the Committee, CHAS. C. SEWALL. 



E. H. BLACKMAN'S STATEMENT. 



My garden contains about three-fourths of an acre of land, the 

 soil of which is a gravelly loam, having a subsoil so hard that it 

 can only with difficulty be broken up with a pick. It is partially 

 drained by trenches filled with small stones at a sufficient depth to 

 admit of ploughing over them, I seldom, however, use the 

 plough. For two years past I have dug up all the ground Avith a 

 spading fork, and carried out, in a hand-barrow, all the manure 

 to be used. This manure is all made by the gatherings in the 

 sty, where one hog is kept, and by composting the night-soil on 

 the premises. I keep a barrel conveniently placed and filled with 

 loam, to receive all the urine from the house. In this way arc 

 made about twelve barrels of very strong manure. All the wash 

 from the sink is conducted into the sty, where are made about 

 three cords of good manure, by a constant supply of loam and 

 the refuse of the garden. I allow no weeds to go to seed in the 

 garden, but commit them, as fast as they appear, to the care of 

 the hog. 



I have in my garden two hundred and forty-five fruit trees, of 

 various kinds and the best sorts I could procure. In them are 

 embraced fifty varieties of fruit. Seventy-five tr^es measure 

 from one to six inches in diameter at the trunk, and are just be- 

 ginning to bear fruit. They were all set out and grafted by me. 

 I have also a hundred varieties of shi'ubs and flowers, and thirteen 

 varieties of grapes on trellises. All the labor required in the 

 garden is done by mj^self at odd jobs — after finishing Avork in my 

 shop — Avith only the help of my boy, now fifteen years old. The 

 boy's time and labor I consider Avorth, say fifteen dollars. Upon 

 my own I set no special A^alue, because it is chiefly spent Avhile 

 others are in bed, or seeking amusement and recreation. 



I hercAvith give you a detailed account of the produce of the 

 garden the present season. The prices of many of the vegeta- 

 ble's are less than might have been stated, and the number of 

 blackberry bushes and trees is greater now than before any sales 

 Avere made in the Spring. 



