Reports of Committees, and Premiums Awarded

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1830. Excerpt: ... REPORTS No. I. ON FARMS. The Committee of the Essex Agricultural Society, on Farms, ask leave to report--That there were three applications for the Premiums of the Society for the good management of Farms, from the following individuals: Mathew Hooper, of Danvers. Jesse Curtis, of Marblehead. Jedediah H. Barker, of Andover. The farms of these several gentlemen, were visited by your Committee in June and September; their respective accounts of their condition, cultivation, and produce, are subjoined to this report; and will be read, your Committee believe, certainly in respect to two of them, with interest and pleasure, as affording laudable examples of frugal and successful husbandry, and of industry and skill well, intelligently, and honorably applied. The farming of Essex County is of necessity on a comparatively small scale. It contains no large plantations; and no abundant capitals to be applied to agriculture. Essex is essentially a maritime County. Commerce and Manufactures are the great and absorbing pursuits. A large proportion of our population are mechanics and manufacturers, and choose those occupations where the cash returns are liberal and quick. Many among us, it must be allowed, are living upon their wits, and in many instances excite our surprise at the profits they realize upon so small a capital. They prefer speculating in stock to raising stock, and are more disposed to fleece the farmer than to fleece the sheep. In a luxurious community it is natural to expect an aversion to labor; and where wealth becomes with all classes the paramount object, it is a matter of course that the small and humble gains of the farmer should be looked upon with indifference if not disgust; and a profession disdained, which however honest and satisfactory i...