ORCHARDS AND VINEYARDS. 115 



there are three hundred and seventy-six pear-trees, seventy-five 

 grape-vines, and eight apple-trees. Among these were egg- 

 plants, squash, melon and cucumber vines, tomatoes, and other 

 plants useful in the culinary department of the house. In other 

 portions of the grounds seeds for market are quite extensively 

 cultivated, such as beet, parsnip and carrot seeds. 



The small fruits were also grown, such as strawberries, rasp- 

 berries, currants and blackberries. 



The soil is a deep, black or sandy loam, but the vegetable 

 matter is largely prevailing. All the crops were free from 

 weeds, and the soil everywhere in a high state of pulverization. 

 The grape-vines and apple-trees are set on the west and north 

 sides of the garden, and Norway spruces on the east and south 

 borders, all acting as screens, and consequently modifying the 

 climate considerably. 



The arrangement of the trees, grape-vines and all the smaller 

 plants gave evidence at once to the Committee that the garden 

 was under the control of a skilful and neat workman. All the 

 rows were in straight lines, and bore the marks of constant and 

 careful attention. The soil was mellow and rich, deep, porous 

 and moist, so that the growth was vigorous and the product 

 abundant. 



The pear-trees made up a portion of the garden, and may 

 well claim some attention here. Most of them fruited the pres- 

 ent season, and were the source of considerable profit. The 

 cultivation of this delicious fruit has now become general in all 

 gardens which are worthy of the name. The number of vari- 

 eties used by the common cultivator is altogether too large, as 

 Mr. Wheeler suggests. The extension of varieties, and ascer- 

 taining those of greater value, may well be left to persons of 

 large study and experience on the subject, or to amateurs, who 

 can afford the losses which must always occur in testing varie- 

 ties. So much, however, is accessible to all in regard to the 

 hardiest, richest and most profitable varieties, that the Com- 

 mittee do not consider it expedient to enter into any statement 

 of that nature here. They recommend to all, however, who are 

 about to engage in pear culture, to visit the orchards of those 

 who have been successful, and learn the modes of culture which 

 have resulted profitably. 



No entire apple orchard was entered for premium. 



