130 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



be on their guard, and not be cajoled by high-sounding names 

 into buying such worthless'' rub] )ish. 



And this suggests the idea that the practice of our society is 

 wrong- in offering premiums for the largest collections ; it should 

 be only for the best specimens of the best varieties adapted to 

 our climate. I would not discourage propagators from experi- 

 menting for the purpose of bringing out better varieties, of 

 course ; I should recommend that a very high premium be of- 

 fered for an]/ real improveinent upon our best kinds of grapes or 

 any other fruit. 



Every fruit grower should have some knowledge of entomol- 

 ogy. He will find this knowledge a great help in distinguishing 

 his friends from his enemies. A great deal of pains arc often 

 taken to kill an insect which, if suffered to live, would be worth 

 a good many days' work. Let us look into the matter. We 

 cannot become masters of our business without patient, persis- 

 tent study, and unwearied perseverance. No labor can yield a 

 more noble reward than that which we may devote to this pur- 

 suit, if we devote enough of it to perfect ourselves in our art. 

 It is nothing less than the power to compel our common mother 

 to set up and run the machinery and find the stock for convert- 

 ing the dust of the earth and the moisture of the air into the 

 choicest and most delicate food for man. 



D. MowKY, Chairman. 



PLYMOUTn. 



From the Report of the Committee. 



In this country too many of the most scientific pomologists 

 arc compelled to reside in cities, and have made discoveries, 

 originated valuable varieties of fruit, and produced specimens of 

 unsurpassed beauty, from patches of ground which we should 

 consider hardly large enough for a child's garden.. 



Magnitude may be considered a test of respectability in some 

 professions, but not in pomology. Tlie cultivator who operates 

 with science upon a limited scale, takes precedence over him 

 who manages a magnificent plantation with less skill. It is 

 hoped that the premiums offered for best specimens, may be 

 monopolized hereafter by those who grow fruit on a small scale. 



The Committee took the liberty of asking all the exhibitors, 



