137 



than of agriculture, but as it " relates to agriculture," and 

 contains excellent suggestions upon a subject which is at 

 present of more than usual importance, and upon which a 

 good deal of loose and demagogical talk is current, we 

 have thought it both timely and instructive. The subject 

 is not, of course, exhausted in this brief essay, and there is 

 something to be said on the other side, as, doubtless, some 

 influences, perhaps temporary, now tend to make profita- 

 ble farming more difficult. But Mr. Rogers utters many 

 wholesome truths which farmers everywhere would do 

 well to read and consider. 



To Dr. J. W. Goodell, of Lynn, the committee have 

 awarded the second premium of ten dollars for an essay on 

 " Grapes and Grape Culture." The raising of grapes has 

 received as much attention in Massachusetts in former 

 years as in any other state, and several new and useful 

 varieties have originated here, and some of them in Essex 

 County. But the market for a few years past has been 

 superabundantly supplied with fruit from the Lake region 

 in New York, Ohio, and other more favored climes, and 

 growers here have been somewhat discouraged. Dr. Good- 

 ell's article is however well worthy of attention, and gives 

 practical directions as the result of his own experience. 



To M. Sumner Perkins, of Dan vers, the committee 

 have awarded the third premium of eight dollars for his 

 essay upon " Six Crops of Greatest Value in Essex Coun- 



ty-" 



Only one report of sufficient importance to demand a 

 premium was received by the committee, and this was an 

 excellent one by O. S. Butler, of Georgetown, on the 

 "• Comparative Value of Crops as Food for Cattle." For 

 this the committee have awarded the highest premium of 

 ten dollars. 



No "statement of actual farm accounts'' has been 

 submitted. The attention of the committee has been 

 drawn, however, to a " new and complete system of keep- 

 ing farm accounts," which has recently been published by 



