HAMPDEN SOCIETY. 221 



were stated to have successfully resisted the disease in England. 

 We have endeavored to ascertain how far they have done so 

 here, and although in unfavorable soils, they have not proved 

 themselves unsusceptive of the morbid affection, they have 

 done much better than the old sorts, and are looked upon by 

 those who have tried them, as a very valuable acquisition for 

 future seed. 



A box, with twenty compartments, filled with as many dif- 

 ferent kinds of potatoes, was exhibited by Ahira Lyman, who 

 appears to have devoted himself with most praiseworthy energy 

 to the cultivation of this important root. The collection in- 

 cluded the three kinds procured last spring from England, and 

 presented choice specimens of each. The committee award to 

 him a premium of one dollar. 



JOHN EDEN, Chairman. 



Fruit. 



Never, since the organization of the society, has the exhibi- 

 tion in this department been as good as the present. Until a 

 period comparatively recent, little attention has been paid 

 within the limits of our society, to the cultivation of good fruit. 

 When our pilgrim fathers landed on Plymouth rock, they found 

 themselves m an inhospitable climate, and in the dead of win- 

 ter. When spring opened, with greatly diminished numbers, 

 they were compelled to severe toil for supplying the mere neces- 

 saries of life. But they were lion-hearted men, and in a few 

 years found their barns and store-houses filled to overflowing. 

 Yet this fulness consisted of necessaries only. Their vegeta- 

 bles were cabbages, turnips, carrots and beans. Their fruits 

 crab-apples, horse-plums, and such berries as were indigenous to 

 the climate. 



There are, doubtless, some present on this occasion, who can 

 remember when their fathers laid up for winter stores, more 

 bushels of turnips than potatoes; when upon a long row of 

 cider barrels (well filled) were piled at least three hundred and 

 sixty-five cabbages, and where the acres of white beans would 

 nearl)'' or quite equal to those of corn. 



