90 



fore, let it be added just here, that if any member of a 

 committee elected is not inclined to serve, it would be, in 

 our judgment, a kindness to notify the secretary of the 

 society, so that the committee may be apprised of the 

 fact, and govern themselves in view of it. Two or more 

 of your committee, however, have, in every instance, 

 personally seen the crops entered for society premiums. 



It would be a favor if every party who designs to en- 

 ter any crop, would notify, as early as possible in the sea- 

 son, of this fact ; and name the date, as near as possible, 

 when he would like to have the committee see the crop. 



All of those who have been upon this committee, and 

 have taken part in its work this year, agree with those 

 who have served upon it in other years, that, though con- 

 siderable time and expense are involved, they have been 

 well paid. The compensation comes from personal con- 

 tact with some of the most enterprising of our farmers 

 and our best men; from the opportunity of a closer in- 

 spection of their varied work than we could otherwise 

 have ; and from the uniformly social and cordial reception 

 given. 



Mr. Robert Frank Dodge, of Wenham, entered two lots 

 of potatoes, Early Rose, and Clark's No. 1. But when he 

 was visited by the committee a blight seemed to show 

 itself upon the Early Rose, and he withdrew this lot 

 from competition and no return was made from it. 



The other lot promised more, and though the potatoes 

 were not the largest in size, the}*" averaged well, and were 

 very smooth, and seemed to show no indication of rot. 

 This crop was raised upon land planted last year with 

 corn. Mr. Dodge does not omit the prerequisite to large 

 crops, — proper care and plenty of fertilizers. 



From Wenham we went to the Pickman Farm, Salem, 

 and visited Mr. J. E. Page, superintendent, who entered 

 a half acre of cabbages. It was about one o'clock p. m. 

 when we arrived. Though a little late for a farm house 

 dinner, we regaled ourselves upon the grass under the 



