GARDENS. 39 



GARDENS. 



Only two Kitchen or Mixed Gardens have been offered this season, 

 and not one flower garden, for the examination of your Committee. 

 This evidence of want of interest in the garden, which is so easily made 

 to contribute largely to the comforts of the table, and to the health of 

 those who may partake of its fruits, is much to be regretted. We are 

 aware that the premiums, $6, $4, $2, offer but small inducement for 

 an effort, but the best, most highly cultivated garden, containing a va- 

 riety of vegetables and fruits in their season, of excellent quality, this 

 is worth trying for. How many might enjoy the luxuries of the gar- 

 den — asparagus, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, tomatoes, &c. 

 — not to say anything about the superior excellence of articles grown in 

 your own garden, above those of the same kind when found in the 

 market, half-wilted and almost tasteless. 



How would it do to take a little from the big premiums for fast hor- 

 ses and add it to the small ones offered for gardens and other useful 

 things. 



The two gardens entered for premium, were one by Ebenezer Bird 

 of Leominster, the other by Benjamin F. Proctor of Fitchburg. Mr. 

 Bird, who was one of your Committee, absented himself during all our 

 conversation about premiums. In the two preceding years he had been 

 awarded the second and third premiums on Kitchen Gardens. In both 

 gardens examined by your Committee, there was a good variety of the 

 usual vegetables raised for the table, in good condition as to cultiva- 

 tion. In addition to a variety and abundance of vegetables, we found 

 in one, dwarf pears, and peaches not yet in bearing, and in both straw- 

 berries and grapes. 



Your Committee have awarded : 



1st premium to Ebenezer Bird of Leominster, $6 00 



2d " Benj. F. Proctor of Fitchburg, 4 00 



Respectfully submitted, 



T. R. BOUTELLE, for the Committee. 



