HAMPDEN SOCIETY. 211 



market, and increasing demand, for all the products of the 

 garden have presented sufficient inducements to many in our 

 immediate vicinity to enlarge the area of their labors far be- 

 yond all former precedent. And this result has awakened a 

 spirit of emulation among the leading proprietors, and aroused 

 the consequent feeling of competition in the breast of every 

 one, not to be excelled by any one. This laudable spirit of 

 emulation was clearly manifested in the praiseworthy struggle 

 for the highest premium offered by the society for " the best 

 collection and greatest variety," some of them offering from 

 thirty to forty different kinds, embracing almost everything in 

 the form of vegetable, and with strict regard to their quality. 

 The entries amounted to the aggregate of three hundred and 

 four, and these contributions, when arranged as they were by 

 the judicious committee appointed to that duty, made a display 

 most honorable to the producers, and gratifying to the admiring 

 crowd of visitors. So nearly balanced in all respects were the 

 three most prominent entries, in number and quality, the com- 

 mittee could not determine which should be the victor ; they 

 therefore awarded to each an equal sum. being the full amount 

 of the three first premiums. These were awarded to Aaron 

 Bagg, of West Springfield; Sylvanus Pendleton, of Chicopee ; 

 L. P. Dickinson, of Springfield. 



D. C. BREWER, Chairman. 



Fruit. 



Already worthless and indifferent kinds of the apple are giv- 

 ing place to choice and valuable varieties, and the cultivator is 

 amply repaid for all his trouble and care, and obliged to ac- 

 knowledge that the orchard yields a return equal to any other 

 part of the farm. 



Our climate and soil are suited to the cultivation of the pear, 

 and every man who has a small patch of land about his house, 

 by planting trees (upon the quince stock,) and with proper care 

 and training, can supply his own table with the choicest of 

 fruit. 



