42 VEGETABLES. 



suffered to be more fully represented, the more especially when they 

 thought how much indebted the farmer was to this branch of cul- 

 ture. A scale of the comparative value of each kind of vegetable 

 to the Essex county farmer might be carefully instituted, which 

 should serve for some guide in offering pecuniary or honorary en- 

 couragement for the production of new varieties. Are roots better 

 adapted to our hard and stony soil, or rather to the average soils of 

 our county ? If so, what kinds should take precedence ? This 

 determined, let it stand at the head of the list, and let it be repre- 

 sented under its very best conditions. Can it be improved ? Ex- 

 periment will only decide ; and where sufficient encouragement 

 shall be presented, the experiment will be readily essayed. What 

 next should occupy the second place in the series ? What the 

 third ? and so on. Thus an approximation to the capabilities of the 

 soil of the county can be ascertained, and a promising result, in the 

 long run, be anticipated, while at the same time a system be estab- 

 lished. To systematize all kinds of labor has been always found 

 advantageous. AVhy should it not obtain equally here ? 



Your committee would suggest to the consideration of the Society 

 the expediency of offering premiums for the introduction of new 

 varieties of vegetables, to be awarded after a sufficient time has 

 elapsed, to test their desirableness for extended cultivation. Per- 

 haps, should a liberal premium be given for the best seedling potato 

 raised in the county — one that would not be liable to the rot, of a 

 large yield, and combining other good quahties — a great desidera- 

 tum would be obtained ; also the introduction of new varieties of 

 other esculents, to take the place of some which upon repeated 

 trials are proved of an inferior quality, or not adapted to this soil 

 and climate. Many of our vegetables may be improved in quality 

 and quantity, and also ripen earlier, particularly those that are 

 raised from the seed by a proper selection of the seed, which should 

 be gathered from the healthiest and most advanced plants. 



The number of contributors to this department was sixty-eight, 

 as follows : — From Lawrence and Methuen, eighteen each ; Ando- 

 ver, eleven ; Haverhill, five ; Danvers, four ; Georgetown, three ; 

 Beverly, Marblehead and Topsfield, two each ; Bradford, Boxford 

 and Lynnfield, one each. It will be perceived that only twelve of 

 the thirty-two cities and towns of the county were represented, and 

 of these there were very few contributors, except from those in the 



