10 THE ISLAND OF NANTUCKET. 



1 ' Most of the grasses flourish here as well as on 

 sandy loams elsewhere. The natural pasturage, I 

 think, is not as good as in some other portions of the 

 State; but this I believe may be remedied by paying 

 more attention to the improvement of our pastures by 

 occasional cultivation, and then seeding with such of 

 the cultivated grasses as experience shall demonstrate 

 are best for pasturage, and thus afford ample scope for 

 dairying. 



" Sheep also do well on a large portion of the island, 

 and when we take into the account the fact that epi- 

 cures about Boston pay high prices for c Vermont 

 lamb,' because of its * delicate flavor,' and also another 

 fact that many people who have drifted here in search 

 of health or recreation have testified that ' lamb pro- 

 duced on this island comes the nearest in its delicate 

 flavor to that raised in Vermont of any they have ever 

 seen,' it is satisfactory evidence that in sheep-raising 

 there is another opening for business for the right 

 people. 



" The small fruits seem to do well here, strawberries 

 and blackberries in particular. They are usually very 

 hard and suitable to stand transportation, if the mar- 

 kets were such as to induce their cultivation. 



" Some varieties of pears may be grown to profit here, 

 where shelter can be had at moderate cost, if proper 

 selection of soil is made and proper cultivation be- 

 stowed. Peaches, I think, may be successfully raised 

 with suitable shelter and proper cultivation, when we 

 have learned by experiment what varieties will best 

 withstand our climate. 



" I still consider it an open question whether apples 



