ON FRUIT TREES. 83 



trees, which have been cultivated with much attention, and 

 are now in good condition. They have not been set out so 

 long as Mr. Gould's, and have not a character so firmly estab- 

 lished. Both of these gentlemen have selected the Baldwin 

 apple only for their orchards. Although this apple is to be ad- 

 mired for its many superior qualities, still there are other good 

 varieties, and we should prefer to have several kinds at com- 

 mand. 



The orchard of William G. Lake, of Topsfield, was viewed 

 by some of the committee. A part of his trees are in very fine 

 condition. Had it not been that others viewed were deemed 

 superior, the committee would have been pleased to have giv- 

 en him a higher premium. They therefore award to him the 

 third premium of four dollars. Mr. Lake has been very suc- 

 cessful in his cultivation of trees in his nurseries. No one can 

 complain that he does not present a sufficient variety of fruits. 

 If we do not mistake, he exhibits as many as fifty varieties of 

 apples, of his own raising. 



Dr. R. A. Merriam, of Topsfield, has taken much pains to lay 

 the foundation for an orchard of about two hundred trees. He 

 has set apart an ample enclosure for this purpose, and in a good 

 position. Many of the trees are growing finely and promise 

 well, others are less promising. There is great inequality in 

 their appearance. The grand mistake, if any has been made, 

 Avas in the selection of his trees in the first instance. The 

 contrast between Dr. Merriam's and those in the other orchards 

 viewed, is a good illustration of the necessity of care and liber- 

 ality in the first selection of the trees. If the Doctor's trees, 

 five years hence, shall be found to have overtaken in their 

 growth, those of his competitors, then the committee will 

 cheerfully admit their mistake in their own notions. 



Some of the committee were anxious that the attention of 

 the Trustees should be called to the importance of offering 

 premiums for the introduction of some new variety of apple, in- 

 stead of the cultivation of those now most esteemed. Instance, 

 if any one could bring forward a new apple, that would compare 

 with the Baldwin, the Danvers Winter Sweet, or the Hubbard- 

 ston nonesuch — all of which have originated in Massachusetts 



