146 HAMPDEN SOCIETY. 



structed without any eave-troughs to conduct off the rain and 

 snow; so that it melts, and falls from the roof directly upon the 

 piles of manure thrown from the stable, and thoroughly leaching, 

 dissolving, and thus depriving the manure of all its soluble salts, 

 which make up three fourths of its nutritive properties. 



WILLIAM BRIDGMAN, Chairman. 



Fruits and Flowers. 



The committee on fruits and flowers, in submitting their re- 

 port, congratulate their associates on the incorporation and or- 

 ganization of a Horticultural Society for the county of Hampden. 

 This has been done under an act of the legislature, at its last 

 session ; and we may anticipate a greatly increased interest in 

 this important and profitable pursuit. The new society proposes 

 to act fully in concert with our own ; and, by occasional exhibi- 

 tions, to hold out inducements to all, who delight in the products 

 of the garden and orchard, to make their improvements public 

 and acceptable to all. It is greatly to be desired, that this may 

 become truly a county society, and its operations be regarded 

 with favor and patronage by all, far and near, who care about 

 fruits, flowers, and vegetables. 



The specimens of fruit, presented at the present fair, indicate, 

 that much more is doing in this department of cultivation, than 

 has usually been supposed. And yet there is undoubtedly a 

 backwardness to go largely into the raising of fruit, on account 

 of the alleged capriciousness of the climate and its admitted se- 

 verity. The climate of Massachusetts, however, is believed to 

 be, with judicious training and cultivation, not unfavorable, 

 except in extraordinary cases, to most of the standard varieties 

 of fruit. 



Great doubt has been expressed about the pear, more particu- 

 larly ; and fears have been entertained, that the pear is actually 

 running out. Fortunately, we have satisfactory evidence, that 

 such fears and doubts are altogether groundless. The speci- 

 mens afforded at this exhibition assure us that nothing is 

 wanting but care and perseverance. 



