34 ESSEX SOCIETY. 



came up to what the conditions required, until they read his 

 statement, and under this state of facts they did not feel at lib- 

 erty to award any premium the present season. 



The competition for the premiums offered for apple trees was 

 greater, there being four distinct claims. The trees of Amos 

 Gould, of Wenham, were thought by the committee to be en- 

 titled to the first premium of ten dollars. They have been 

 cultivated for three years past with marked attention. They 

 were selected at first from one of the best of nurseries, and from 

 the best trees of the nursery. These are facts, in the opinion 

 of the committee, of great importance. It may be, after a 

 growth of ten years, ordinary trees at first, will overtake those 

 that were more promising ; but such an event is not probable. 

 Mr. Gould's trees are in very fine condition, and are a good il- 

 lustration of what can be done by careful attention. 



Lewis Allen, of Danvers, to whom is awarded the second 

 premium of eight dollars, has an orchard of a larger number of 

 trees, which have been cultivated with much attention, and 

 are now in good condition. They have not been set out so 

 long as Mr. Gould's, and have not a character so firmly estab- 

 lished. Both of these gentlemen have selected the Baldwin 

 apple only for their orchards. Although this apple is to be ad- 

 mired for its many superior qualities, still there are other good 

 varieties, and we should prefer to have several kinds at com- 

 mand. 



The orchard of William G. Lake, of Topsfield, was viewed 

 by some of the committee. A part of his trees are in very fine 

 condition. Had it not been that others viewed were deemed 

 superior, the committee would have been pleased to have given 

 him a higher premium. They therefore award to him the 

 third premium of four dollars. Mr. Lake has been very suc- 

 cessful in his cultivation of trees in his nurseries. No one can 

 complain that he does not present a sufficient variety of fruits. 

 If we do not mistake, he exhibits as many as fifty varieties of 

 apples, of his own raising. 



Dr. R. A. Merriam, of Topsfield, has taken much pains to 

 lay the foundation for an orchard of about two hundred trees. 

 He has set apart an ample enclosure for this purpose, and in a 



