24 WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. [1888. 



barrels of apples, for which never less than $3, and often more 

 than $5, per barrel is secured. The whole valley is a vast 

 orchard, and every farmer is rich, or rapidly getting rich. 



^ ^ ^ v^ ¥^ ¥^ ^ 



"In wandering through the valley an interesting reflection came 

 to me, and I wondered whether it might be so to others. That 

 was that wherever apples grow a kindly, sturdy and progressive 

 people are ever to be found. Think it over, and the idea grows 

 npon one. Great houses, greater barns, fine stock, ample compe- 

 tence, large provision for all seasons and needs, sturdy ways, 

 sensible thrift, genial neighborings, and all that dear procession 

 of country-side life that has vigor and cheer, with Autumn's noble 

 housings and stores and Winter's large and generous delights, 

 marshal the thought in memory's bravest trappings." 



Are not " great houses, greatter barns, fine stock, sturdy ways, 

 genial neighborhoods " to be found not alone in the valley of the 

 Gaspereau ; but as well along the intervales of Half-Wa}' River, 

 the Blackstone and the Nashua ? Hath Kome indeed " lost her 

 breed of noble bloods?" If so, — how largely may the blame be 

 attributed to that celibac}" which exacts yearly increase from 

 flock and herd, but withholds its own tribute to the primal law 

 lest haply, " his children should be like olive-plants round about 

 his table ! " The modern gospel at too many a Yankee Farm- 

 stead is, alas ! not " happy is the man that hath his quiver full 

 of them ; " but can a vicarious procreation be maintained by 

 virtue of a pedigree accredited to this Jersey heifer — that South- 

 down ram ! 



Yet in this, as in all otlier matters of earthly concern, the fittest 

 shall surely survive. And, that the victory may be our own, 

 needs but a tithe of that energy which is expended without 

 grumbling, in every other branch of Terrseculture. The tree 

 must not be suflfered to exhaust its vitality by a crop of ten or 

 twelve barrels in full maturity. The fruit must be thinned ; and 

 although the number of specimens may be diminished, the yield 

 will be ample, while tlie returns from it are proportionately 

 greater. You may say that this implies hard work ! but how 

 much profit did you ever derive from laziness ? You can not 

 harvest your rye while swinging in a hammock. If a cloud 

 threatens, you hurry and get it under cover, even though it should 



