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state, except Suffolk, and its large cities, Lynn, Lawrence, 

 Salem, Nevvburyport and Haverhill, by their handy mar- 

 kets and large demands stimulate "market-gardening," 

 and make a few rods, scientifically treated, more valuable 

 than broad acres are in sparsely settled regions. The case 

 may be different outside of New England, in the agricul- 

 tural states. Doubtless in the Dakotas, for instance, large 

 farms cultivated by machinery, rather than small patches 

 of vegetables and fruits, cultivated by hand, are better 

 adapted to their conditions. Dr. Goodell's essay contains 

 some excellent suggestions. 



The second premium of ten dollars is awarded to Geo. 

 A. Rogers, of North Andover, for his essay upon "Farm 

 Bookkeeping — its Necessity." The suggestions in this 

 essay are excellent. No business whatever can be carried 

 on with safety or profit without a true account of it be- 

 ing constantly kept. The simpler the account is the bet- 

 ter, for usually farmers are too busy to do much bookkeep- 

 ing — but they can keep memoranda in proper form, if the 

 details are not made too cumbersome. Mr. Rogers states 

 what points, in his opinion, should be covered. 

 Respectfully, 



G. L. Streetei;, Chairman. 

 Committee:— Gilbert L. Streeter, Salem ; D. E Safford, 

 Hamilton ; N. M. Hawkes, Lynn; G. R. Rlodgette, 

 Rowley ; J. M. Danforth, Lynnfield. 



THE POSSIBILITIES OF TEN SQUARE RODS. 



BY J. W. GOODELL, M. D., OF LYNN. 



Many years ago, we remember to have read an article 

 in some agricultural paper, entitled, " Ten acres enough," 

 and the substance of that paper has been often called to 

 mind, by the frequent lamentations which come from the 

 rural agriculturist, with his boundless acres of unproduc- 

 tive land. 



