562 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



orchards with as little care as in any common mow- 

 ing field. It has been asserted by some that this 

 is a benefit to the trees — that it causes them to 

 send out more shoots, and increase the constitu- 

 tional vigor and fecundity of the trees ! Why it 

 should do so is a question which no one, perhaps, 

 can rationally resolve. It seems as natural to sup- 

 pose that the wounding or abscision of the lateral 

 roots, in the case of a standing and bearing fruit 

 tree, should prove injurious as in that of a young 

 tree which is being removed for the purpose of 

 transplantation. The more roots in either case the 

 better, we contend, and if orchards are tilled, let 

 the soil be plowed lightly, and the operation of 

 inverting the sward conducted with the greatest 

 care. But before setting an orchard the ground 

 should be thoroughly subsoiled, cultivated and 

 manured. 



November, if the weather is moderate, is as good 

 a time, perhaps, as any month in the year for these 

 operations. 



LEOMINSTER CATTLE SHOW. 



The Farmers' and Mechanics' Association of 

 Leominster held their first Annual Cattle Show 

 on Wednesday, Sept. 29. This Association was 

 formed in November, 1851, and is strictly a town 

 affair, none being permitted to be members ex- 

 cept citizens of Leominster. There are now 239 

 members belonging to the society, and it is now in 

 a very flourishing condition. The exhibition of 

 fruits, flowers and fancy and manufactured arti- 

 cles was in the new Town Hall, a fine edifice erect- 

 ed last year. 



The Hall presented a very beautiful appearance. 

 Around the rostrum were hung some fine ornamen- 

 tal pictures. 



A fine display of stuffed birds was contributed 

 by Dr. Pierce, and Capt. C. Nicholson furnished 

 two cases of birds and insects from Brazil, which 

 attracted much attention. 



The exhibition of fruit was very fine, and was 

 well worthy of the farmers of Leominster ; indeed 

 we have seldom seen a better display. 



Specimens of patent leather manufactured in 

 Leominster were exhibited by N. W. Stoddard 



The comb makers of Leominster made a fine 

 show of their handiwork. G. & A. Morse had 

 fine specimens of every variety, from the pocket- 

 comb to the elaborate back-comb. Wakefield, 

 Prescott & Co. also made a fine display. Jonas 

 Colburn contributed 22 different patterns of head- 

 combs. Tisdale & Fairbank also had some beau- 

 tiful specimens. 



Ladies of Leominister contributed for the occa- 

 sion some very fine specimens of bread. The 

 loaves were large, and looked nice enough for any 

 man. 



The hall and tables were finely decorated with 

 flowers, and presented a very fine appearance. 

 The tables in particular were Avell arranged, and 

 did much credit to the Committee. The hall was 

 filled to overflowing, and so large was the attend- 

 ance, that it was rather difficult to get a peep at 

 the many wonders exhibited. 



At 10 o'clock, the drawing match took place on 

 a hill near the Town Hall. Nine teams were en- 



tered. The weight of the cart drawn with its 

 load was 4780 lbs., and the match attracted a 

 great crowd. 



Francis Wayland, Jr., of Worcester, delivered 

 the address. Joseph Mason, Esq., was to have 

 delivered the annual address, but was prevented 

 by illness. 



Mr. Wayland, after a brief introduction, re- 

 marked that farmers too often complain that 

 while others are getting rich, while the merchant 

 and mechanic are coining money and growing opu- 

 lent, those engaged in agricultural pursuits con- 

 tinue poor, notwithstanding all their attempts to 

 get along in the world. He thought the com- 

 plaint a just one, and endeavored to show what 

 caused this difference of success. He thought it 

 was because farmers as a class are behind the age. 

 They are willing to plod on in the paths trod by 

 their fathers and fathers' fathers. They are con- 

 tent to go on as they have for years without at- 

 tempting to make any improvements. He thought 

 science should be brought in and made subservient 

 to the interests of the farmers. He thought in- 

 creased investigations and experiments, a greater 

 scope of reading, more attention to the new dis- 

 coveries that are continually being made, and a 

 deeper pursuit of those sciences which may be 

 made to subserve the interest of the agricultural 

 community would make a great change for the 

 better. 



Abel C. Wilder, Esq., of Leominster, then read 

 a Poem, entitled "Farmers' and Mechanics' Asso- 

 ciations." Although a farmer, Mr. Wilder pre 

 sented a very pleasing poem, and his production 

 elicited much praise. 



At one o'clock, a procession was formed and the 

 company marched to Yale's tent which had been 

 spread on the common. About 500 persons were 

 seated at the tables. The entertainment was pro- 

 vided by E. R. Balch, and did credit to the cater- 

 er. 



At 3 o'clock a procession of 57 horses and colts, 

 and 80 yoke of oxen, marched through the princi- 

 pal streets of the town, and the exhibition then 

 closed. 



The Show attracted a large crowd of visitors, 

 and the town presented a very animated appear- 

 ance. The exhibition was very fine, and the citi- 

 zens of Leominster may well feel proud of their 

 First Cattle Show. Everything passed off admira- 

 bly, and nothing occurred to mar the pleasure of 

 the occasion. The Leominster Farmers' and Me- 

 chanics' Association may now be considered on a 

 firm basis, and if we mistake not, will exert an 

 influence on the interests of the town which will 

 prove highly beneficial. — Traveller. 



Benjamin Franklin : a book for the Young and 

 Old : for all. Compiled, printed and published 

 by Samuel Hutchins, Cambridge, 1852. — This is 

 a duodecimo book of 36 pages, mostly compiled 

 from the writings of Dr. Franklin, but interspersed 

 with such introductory remarks and explanations 

 as to give the extracts peculiar application and 

 force. It ought to be carefully read, many times 

 over, by every boy and girl in the country. It 

 would be the means of establishing many a good 

 principle. 



