152 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



by 11 low dike, and that it is the intention of the Compan}- to pro- 

 ceed as rapidly as possible to put the whole into cultivated cran- 

 l^crry vines, which already grow naturally upon many acres of 

 the tract. 



Strawberries and Other Fruits. 



At Manchester we found the strawberries in full bearing, that 

 is, full for this year; Lawton blackberries in full bloom, and of 

 most healthy growth, as were the raspberries, gooseberries, cur- 

 rants, pears, apples, cherries, but not the apples. All garden 

 vegetables looked as finely as upon richer soil, but are everywhere 

 unusually late. 



At Hammonton the exhibition tables were covered, and so was 

 the festival table, with an abundance of handsome berries of vari- 

 ous kinds, but everywhere the Wilson predominated. We are 

 sorry to have to report that the strawberry plantations throughout 

 this handsome, thriving settlement, do not look as well as they 

 did last autumn, and do not promise one-third as great a crop as 

 last year. This is owing to some severe weather in March and 

 April. The cultivators must resort to mulching, and the very best 

 of material can be had from the sea shore at eight dollars a car load. 



Other fruits, particularly blackberries, are very promising, 

 except peaches, which are to be found only here and there. 



We are sorry to see the fire blight just beginning upon some 

 dwarf pear trees, and to see others suffering for the want of manure 

 and vio'orous pruning. Standard pear and apple trees, and grape 

 vinos everywhere look beautiful, and so do all the garden and 

 farm crops. Of the latter, the committee were delighted with the 

 immense clover fields upon the farm of the Hon. Andrew K. Hay, 

 where we also saw a large wheat field, unanimously pronounced 

 the best seen this year by any member of the committee. 



Hammonton, Ellwood, Egg Harbor City. 



We were also delighted Avith the general appearance of thrift, 

 comfort, iiUelligence, contentment of the people and homes of 

 Hanunonton. The same ma^^ be said of Ellwood and Egg Harbor 

 City. Such a population, with the rapid annual additions made 

 to it, attracted by the truth of that old proverb, that " birds of 

 a feather will flock' together," is destined to redeem this wilder- 

 ness to the use of civilization within the present century. 



In addition to the old Hanmionton tract, Mr. Byrnes has lately 

 purchased 25,000 acres, which he is preparing for sale to new 



