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CHILDREN'S DEPARTMENT. 



Forty articles were contributed to this department by 

 twenty-five children, fifteen of whom were residents of our 

 own town. This is certainly encouraging, for we remember, 

 two or three years ago, having to report all nnu-residents 

 excepting six. 



Although this department is less attractive than in former 

 years in the number of articles on exhibition, ;, et in some 

 directions a steady improvement has been made. The con- 

 tributors are more careful in entering their articles at the 

 required time and in entering correctly ; and this year, in all 

 but one or two cases, the age of the child was placed on the 

 article with the name; the neglect to do which, in years past, 

 has been quite an inconvenience to the committee in judging of 

 the merit of the work. 



In regard to the quality of .the work, there has been a 

 decided improvement. The character of the work changes 

 from year to year. Outline stitch has taken the place of 

 worsted work on canvas, which used to give our tables such a 

 gay appearance, but which, on closer examination, did not 

 always show neat and careful work, nor the best taste in the 

 choice of colors, 



Bedquilts and rugs no longer fill all the available space 

 allotted us. This year not one pieced quilt was seen in our 

 department, although squares of patchwork sufficient for a 



