242 HAMPDEN SOCIETY. 



Fruit. 



The number of entries of fruit was eighty, of which much 

 the largest number was of apples. Hampden county has been 

 behind some of her sister counties, in respect to the cultivation 

 of fruit, but we see no reason why she may not stand by the 

 side of Worcester, and others that have taken the lead in such 

 matters. 



Until recently, very little has been done here in cultivating 

 the pear ; but the number of entries shows tliat this subject is 

 beginning to receive its due share of attention from our culti- 

 vators. Undoubtedly, many persons are discouraged, in at- 

 tempting to make selections from such a large number of high- 

 sounding and jaw-breaking names, as are found in the catalogues 

 sent out from most of the large nurseries. We may safely say, 

 that out of two or three hundred varieties of pears named in 

 them, not an eighth part are really worth cultivation. Out 

 of twenty or thirty varieties, several may be selected that will 

 prove most delicious, and will repay one for all his trouble in 

 bringing them into bearing. The pear needs a peculiar soil, 

 and it becomes every one, who expects to have healthy trees 

 and choice fruit, to study well the subject of special tnaniwes, 

 which he will find treated of in the horticultural publications 

 of the day. 



Although the season was too far advanced to lead us to ex- 

 pect the best display of peaches, yet we found on show, some 

 beautiful specimens of this highly prized fruit. With such 

 examples before us, why need we be dependent upon foreign 

 markets for our usual supply, especially when a peck of such 

 fruit, taken from the tree when fully ripe, is worth a bushel of 

 such as is brought from New Jersey, picked as it is in an un- 

 ripe state. 



While speaking of the peach, the committee would remark 

 that they have noticed, in this vicinity, many peach trees that 

 are sickly, and that will eventually die. They tender the ad- 

 vice to the owners, to lay the axe to the roots of such trees at 

 once, and no longer suffer the remaining trees to be contami- 

 nated by them. 



RICHARD BUSS, Chairma^i. 



