FARMS. 129 



hard to cultivate. Mr. Hildreth has increased the productive- 

 ness of his farm very much, as will be seen by his statements, 

 which are annexed. I also required answers to various ques- 

 tions which may be found in the communications from these 

 gentlemen. 



The orchard of William Buckminster, Esq., of Framing- 

 ham, is in a fine and thrifty condition, every tree being of nearly 

 the same size ; and although they have been planted only four 

 years, many of them are from twelve to fifteen inches in cir- 

 cumference one foot above the ground ; the bark is smooth and 

 healthy, the rows perfectly straight, and the limbs branching at 

 the same distance from the ground, about five feet ; tops nearly 

 of the same size, very much alike, and altogether, presenting 

 a very fine appearance. 



The orchard of Mr. Horace H. Bigelow, of Marlborough, is 

 also in a good condition, as thrifty and nearly as large and even 

 as Mr. Buckminster's. 



The orchard of Mr. White, of South Reading, was thrifty and in 

 a good condition, not as even as Messrs. Buckminster's and Big- 

 elow's, and having been planted since, the trees are not so large. 



Mr. orchard is in about the same condition as Mr. 



White's. 



In Mr. Edmund E. Wiley's orchard, a part of the trees look 

 pretty well, the rest do not. 



After a careful examination the committee recommend that 

 the society award the following premiums : — 



The first premium of |25, to George Chandler, of Shirley. 



The second premium not awarded to Mr. Hildreth, he having 

 received the second premium in 1852. 



On orchards, the first premium of $12, to William Buck- 

 minster, of Framingham. 



The second premium of $10, to William White, of South 

 Reading. 



The third premium of |6, to Cyrus Wakefield, of South 

 Reading. 



Mr. H. H. Bigelow would have been entitled to the second 

 premium, had he not already received the same on his orchard 

 in a former year. 



Respectfully submitted, 



John B. Moore. 



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