354 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



fourteen thousand pounds." Wine making is then discussed, and 

 the writer says " we hardly dare to look forward to the time when 

 the vine shall cover the bleak and barren hills of New England — 

 but we do see close at hand the day when broad vineyards will be 

 planted to supply with their luscious fruit the markets of our cities 

 and great towns, and when rows of well chosen and well trained 

 vines will be as common an appendage to everj' decent garden 

 as a line of currant bushes is now." 



The l)arren hills are not all covered, but a good many are, and 

 we think that the writer of the article from which we have quoted 

 (the late lamented John M.Merrick, Jr.) would have been surprised 

 if he could have been spared to witness what your Committee 

 have seen in the past few years. We think he would be convinced 

 that, in view of the remarkable progress already made, we are 

 surely in a fair way to cover them. Many an unproductive hill, 

 if not made to blossom as the rose, has been made to yield lus- 

 cious fruit ; and where no return ever came, now a handsome 

 profit is the yearly result. 



We believe that the culture of the grape is yet in its infancj^ 

 and — to use the words of the writer already referred to — we wish 

 we could say, in persuasive accents, to every one who owns a rod 

 of land, " Plant a good vine, tend it and care for it, and you will 

 have your reward." 



The Committee have awarded the following prizes : 



To Arthur J. Bigelow, Marlboro, the first prize for the best 

 vineyard, $30.00. 



To George B. Andrews, Fitchbui'g, the prize for the second 

 best vineyard, $20.00. 



All of which is respectfully submitted. 



John G. Baukek, 

 E. W. Wood, 



Jos. H. WOODI'OUI), 



C. N. Bkackett, ) Committee. 

 Benj. G. Smith, 

 Henuy W. Wilson, 

 Charles W. Ross. 



