88 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



the apple, on tlie highest part of the last named orchard, and at 

 tho same time, one rod asunder and oiie rod from standard 

 apple trees, wliich gives three of the former to one of the latter. 

 About half as much compost used in planting as with the apple. 

 Varieties : Coolidge Favorite, Grosse Mignonne, Early Craw- 

 ford, Late Crawford, Southwick Seedling, Cutter's Rareripe, 

 Chelmsford Mammoth, and Boot Peach; the four last local 

 names, hut good, nevertheless ; and Osgood's Late Yellow, which 

 last matures about the same time as Late Crawford. The 

 growth and fruitfulness of these trees has been satisfactory. 



As you had an ocular demonstration of their bearing quali- 

 ties, and an opportunity to test the quality in the surest manner 

 known by me, I will leave the subject and bide your judgment. 



DiiACUT, Sept. 15, 1853.. 



HAMPSHIRE, FRANKLIN AND HAMPDEN. 



Report of the Committee. 



Your committee report that there were but two apple orchards 

 offered for premium; one by Mr. Josiah Ayers, of Amherst, 

 the other by Mr. Leonard Loomis, of Whately. Mr. Ayers' 

 orchard contains one hundred and fifty uncommonly thrifty 

 trees, ten years old, all raised from the seed, and budded with 

 the best varieties of fruit, with his own hands. He is entitled 

 to much credit for his good management. His orchard shows 

 conclusively, what can be accomplished by a judicious course 

 of treatment. 



The orchard of Mr. Loomis contains over one hundred trees, 

 all very thrifty in growth, but not as straight and well-balanced 

 tops as those of Mr. Ayers. The committee are of the opinion 

 that Mr. Loomis failed in two important points in starting his 

 orchard ; first, in not getting the best trees to set, and second, 

 not selecting — in all his trees — the best varieties of fruit. 



Paoli Lathrop, Chairman. 

 November, SO, 1853. 



