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chines, drawn by horses. The premium crops of this so- 

 ciety, in earlier times as large as we get now, was because 

 of virgin soil, but with harder work. We are obliged to 

 make up this loss of fertility. A few generations from 

 the carl)' settlers farmers were obliged to keep animals to 

 fertilize their soil ; to-da}% the farmer is obliged to use 

 commercial fertilizers. 



He then spoke of the progress in crops. Within his 

 remembrance nearly all that was raised was hay, long 

 red potatoes, a little barley, and a few cabbages, while 

 nearly all of the standard vegetables of to-day originated, 

 or were developed in Essex County. The ideas of some 

 of the best implements started in this County. 



A long discussion followed, some agreeing that agricul- 

 ture was progressive, and others taking the opposite view. 

 E. S. Nason of West Newbury, claimed that a young man 

 could not run in debt for a farm, pay interest and taxes, 

 keep the buildings in repair, and pay the mortgage, as 

 well to-day as twenty-five years ago. 



A. H. Coombs of Amesbury, agreed with Mr. Nason, 

 but said that the reason he could not succeed as well to- 

 day on a farm, was, because he wanted the best of every- 

 thing there is going. 



Warren Brown of Hampton Falls, referring to Mr. 

 Ware's statement that with the improved machinery of 

 to-day, one man can do what it formerly took ten to do, 

 said there were a hundred ways to spend money now 

 where there were ten formerly. 



James P. King and John Q. Evans of Salisbury, and 

 others, followed. 



The 58th Institute was held March 13, 1888, at the 

 Town Hall, Beverly. The subject of "Milk Production" 

 was to be opened in the forenoon by John Q. Evans of 

 Salisbury, but the violent storm kept him away as well as 

 Edmund Hersey of Hingham, who was to open the after- 

 noon discussion on " Fertilizers." The forenoon was 

 profitably spent in listening to Mr. Gregory and others on 

 milk production. Mr. Gregory urged the necessity of 



