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considerable importance in Essex County, and Mr. Mann 

 seems to have used some simple and ingenious mechanical 

 devices which are well worth knowing about. His remarks 

 upon the uses of dynamite are especially interesting, as this 

 is a new agent for this purpose, and according to Mr. 

 Mann's statement is at once cheap and efficient. 



The essay of Mr. Faxon upon the Cultivation of Annuals 

 will interest farmers' wives and daughters, and contains 

 specific information about the best methods of planting and 

 growing, derived from a large and successful practice. 

 The cultivation of flowers not only gratifies a taste for the 

 beautiful but also for the useful, and of late years has be- 

 come a source of profit to thousands of cultivators. Flori- 

 culture is an established industry. 



Mr. Butler, in his essay on the cranberry, tells how this 

 fruit is cultivated on Cape Cod, and urges that there are 

 many localities in Essex county where it might be grown 

 with equal advantage. The topic is recognized as one of 

 general importance. We think it would be well for some 

 one to gather information upon the point whether the cran- 

 berry can be profitably grown upon our Essex county mead- 

 ows as generally as is supposed. In some instances when 

 tried in localities apparently suitable it has failed, and it 

 would be well to know what are the precise limitations to 

 its easy culture. 



The several reports are very good, and also most of those 

 which the committee are unable to recognize for want of 

 the necessary fuuds. 



Mr. Blunt discusses very intelligently the cranberry 

 question. Mr. Appleton deals with a subject of growing 

 interest and importance, that of ornamental and shade 

 trees, which he discusses with familiar knowledge. Mr. 

 Gregory, whose large practical experience is so well known, 

 contributes a great deal of useful information concerning 

 agricultural implements. And so of other reports in this 

 number of the Transactions. There are many that deserve 

 commendation, and the committee believe that the present 



