224 HAMPSHIRE, FRANKLIN, AND HAMPDEN SOC. 



insect habitations, dig about them and annually give them a 

 good top-dressing of compost. 



The show of fruits this year consisted of more than seven 

 hundred plates, comprehending almost every variety of apples, 

 some few of peaches, plums, cranberries, and the autumn and 

 winter pears. It was "a goodly sight to look upon," and com- 

 mended itself to every beholder. For this extensive exhibition 

 of fruit, the society are largely indebted to the Northampton 

 Agricultural, Horticultural and Floricultural Club, an associa- 

 tion which is doing much to introduce the general culture of 

 good fruit among us. The committee would earnestly urge 

 the formation of similar associations in every town within our 

 limits, as one of the most effective means of accomplishing so 

 desirable an object. 



The show of vegetables was not as large as has sometimes 

 been made at our fairs, but those presented were very fair sam- 

 ples of the best varieties. The mistaken idea is entertained by 

 some, that none but monstrous pumpkins and squashes, or mon- 

 strosities and freaks of nature, are worthy of exhibition, for- 

 getting that the object of a fair, is instruction, the introduction 

 of new varieties and the better culture of old ones, until every 

 householder shall be able to set upon his table, from January to 

 December, a continuous course of all the best fruits and vege- 

 tables which our climate will produce. 



The committee cannot dismiss this subject, without earnestly 

 urging upon our citizens a more general cultivation of the apple, 

 pear, peach, plum, apricot, nectarine, quince and grape, and also 

 the strawberry, raspberry, blackberry and cranberry, not only 

 on the score of economy, but as adding largely to our comforts 

 and luxuries. 



SAMUEL WELLS, Chairman. 



