88 MIDDLESEX SOCIETY. 



discretion in regard to the proper proportion of summer and 

 winter fruit in an orchard, and likewise, in regard to the appli- 

 cation of alkaline washes to trees. Upon these points, the 

 press will undoubtedly furnish the requisite cautions. 



In regard to pear and peach orchards, your committee's labors 

 were not burdensome. Only two collections of pear trees 

 were offered for examination. Your committee, however, 

 availed themselves of opportunities to examine several gardens 

 abounding in this delicious fruit, in the eastern part of the 

 county ; and it is to us a matter of surprise, that it is not more 

 extensively cultivated. 



In concluding their report, the committee would add one or 

 two remarks. And in the first place, wherever we have been 

 we have had conclusive evidence of the good that has been 

 effected (and that is still in progress), by the interchange of 

 views, opinions, and information among farmers. It is no 

 longer true, that an old newspaper, or a last year's almanac, is 

 all the reading matter that a majority of farmers desire. 

 They have become a reading and reflecting class of men ; and 

 the consequence is, they have settled it in their own minds what 

 is to be undertaken, and how it is to be accomplished. The 

 press has shown itself to be in this, as in all other departments 

 of industrial life, a mighty engine. Meetings of farmers for 

 the free discussion of topics connected with their vocation, — 

 celebrations and festivals, of a more or less extensive character, 

 these and other similar means have operated, and are still 

 active, to rouse, guide, and elevate the agricultural classes. 

 And this is the great want of those classes. Farming may be 

 either of two things. It may be all dirt and drudgery — and 

 in too many cases it has actually been so — or it may be 

 first and foremost as a health-affording, mind-awakening, and 

 so, a soul and body-saving occupation. " Mind among the 

 Spindles," has already wrought a glorious revolution. Mind 

 among the Furrows, is effecting one equally noble. " God 

 speed the plough," and let all the people say, " Amen." 



Charles Babbidge, 

 Samuel Chandler, 

 Simon Brown, 



Committee. 



