102 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



sold from the orchard the present year — a result which indi- 

 cates wliat may be done by thorough culture. 



The committee also visited the farm of Messrs. Frederick 

 Clapp & Brother, of Dorchester, where they saw the seedling 

 tree, which produces the pear called Clapp's Favorite, origi- 

 nated by the late Thaddeus Clapp, Esq. Of this splendid fr^uit 

 we need not speak particularly in this connection, as it has 

 been several times noticed at the exhibitions of this society, 

 and described through other channels. The tree is a very fine 

 one, large for its age, and of healthy and thrifty habit. Mr. 

 Clapp also originated several other seedling pears, some of 

 which are deemed valuable. 



The committee noticed the manner in which the Messrs. 

 Clapp occupy their grounds with different crops. Among tlie 

 apple trees, which are very large and noted for their produc- 

 tiveness, currant bushes are set, and in the least shaded places, 

 sugar beets, parsnips and carrots are planted. They obtained 

 no less than twelve hundred bushels of currants this year, from 

 bushes thus planted. The root crops are grown chiefly lor 

 feeding the stock kept on the farm. It should be remarked 

 tliat though this system of culture is, in this case, highly suc- 

 cessful, it cannot be carried out except with very liberal annual 

 supplies of manure. 



The committee called next at the farm of Cheever Newhall, 

 Esq., in Dorchester. Mr. Newhall has long been known as a 

 successful cultivator of fruits. On tlie grounds attached to his 

 residence he has fifteen acres, devoted mostly to apples, pears, 

 and red and black currants. His ap})le and pear trees, which 

 are generally of the most esteemed varieties, were loaded to 

 their utmost capacity with fruit. The red currant was so gene- 

 rally abundant this year, and its price in market so low, that 

 Mr. Newhall gathered no more of his crop than was wanted for 

 liome consumption. Of the black currant, however, he made 

 wine. He has for several years made wine from this fruit, and 

 that whicii has acquired suflicient age has been brouglit into 

 nuii-kft, where it has already become known as a valuable 

 ai'ticle medicinally, and as a pleasant and wholesome beverage 

 in warm weather. It may be stated in' this connection that in 

 France the black currant has, within a few years, been used for 



