HAMPSHIRE SOCIETY. 273 



transplanting seedlings to the nursery, the centre, or tap root 

 of each tree has been cut off for the purpose of giving the 

 lateral roots more vigor. In removing from the nursery to 

 their present position he was careful to dig large places, and 

 subsoiled at least six inches below where they were to stand, 

 supplying a small quantity of compost manure, and set the 

 same depth as when in the nursery. The trees are nearly all 

 thirteen years from the seed, and many of them this year pro- 

 duce fine fruit. This orchard contains almost all the choicest 

 and most approved varieties, of which the owner has the satis- 

 faction to know the name of every individual tree, whether 

 bearing or not. The committee were highly gratified with the 

 success of Mr. Ayer's experiment ; and are happy to present 

 this as an illustration of what can be done by skill and intelli- 

 gence. 



We find four apple orchards offered for premiums, viz. : by 

 Alfred Baker, E. Pomeroy Cutler, S. Harrington, all of Am- 

 herst, and Levi Boutwell, of Leverett. 



We award to Mr. Cutler, first premium, $8 ; Mr. Baker, 

 second premium, $5. 



The committee witnessed with delight, the evidence of taste 

 Mr. Harrington possesses for the cultivation of choice fruit, 

 suited to his soil, and the success which has crowned his ef- 

 forts. Had the society offered premiums for the best fruit or- 

 chard containing different varieties, your committee could not 

 have failed unanimously to give the first to him. 



There was but one premium offered on pear trees and but 

 one application for the same. Mr. Harrington offered for our 

 inspection, one hundred and eleven pear trees, of different vari- 

 eties as named in his statement, all of which appear in a very 

 flourishing and thrifty condition. The committee award him 

 the premium of $3. 



PAOLI LATHROP, Chairman. 



E. P. Cutler^s Statement. 



My orchard consists of one hundred and fifty trees, some oi^ 

 which are in bearing condition, but the majority of them have 

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