52 BOAKD OP AGRICULTURE. 



Your committee to whom -was assigned the above topic, would ask 

 leave to report. 



We are of opinion, that the cultivation of the smaller fruits is 

 altogether too much neglected. Whether this neglect arises from 

 the false impression that there are no dollars and cents to be seen, 

 or from a want of reliable information as to the best kinds and 

 method of cultivation, your committee are not prepared to say ; but 

 certain it is, when this important branch of horticulture has been 

 attempted on a somewhat extensive scale, it has invariably been 

 attended with profit, not only to the pocket directly, but in the per- 

 ceptible health of the household. Take for instance the currant, 

 the smallest of the small fruits, and see to what a variety of useful 

 purposes it can be made subservient, and the ease and fitcility with 

 which it can be grown, adapting itself to all soils, and never disap- 

 pointing in a crop. The same may be said of the cooling and 

 refreshing raspberry — several varieties of which are of magnificent 

 size and exquisite flavor, which have more recently been introduced, 

 and which command good prices in our markets, and which can be 

 grown in large quantities on a small piece of ground. 



Your committee regret not having any data at hand, by which to 

 give a more full and reliable account of the profits arising from, and 

 the best methods of cultivatino- the smaller fruits in general. And 

 they would suggest the propriety of assigning this important subject 

 to a committee of one or more, whose duty it should be to gather 

 facts and prepare a statement for publication in the secretary's next 

 annual report. 



Respectfully submitted. 



Albert Noyes. 



The report was accepted, and in accordance with the suggestion 

 at its close, ]\Ir. Noyes was charged with the preparation of the 

 statement for publication. % 



Mr. Stevens, for the committee on thirteenth Topic, read a report, 

 which, after some discussion and slight verbal amendments, was 

 adopted, as follows : 



By what means can the settlement of the new and fertile lands of 

 Maine best be secured ? 



This is an important question — important alike to every citizen of 

 the state, and involves in its answer the future greatness and pros- 



