ORCHARDS. 167 



particulars we would refer to that. His trees have been set 

 four years, and were from two to four years from the budding 

 when set ; some of their heads had got turned a little in the 

 nursery. This defect he is overcoming, and in a year or two, 

 all other things being equal, their heads will be equal or nearly 

 so. The trees are making a very strong growth, all look 

 healthy and in good condition, with the small exception already 

 mentioned, and this pertains to a small part only of his 137 

 trees. The committee were satisfied that this orchard will be 

 better, and more perfect in a year or two tlian it is now ; it will 

 then be best. 



After making a careful examination of these several orchards, 

 the committee were in no doubt which were the best two ; the 

 next question, which was the best one, was not as readily 

 decided ; after due deliberation, however, the committee were 

 unanimous in their opinion that the orchard of Dr. C. C. Field, 

 of Leominster, is now the most perfect, and awarded him the 

 first premium of $10 ; and the second premium of $5 to Dr. 

 Jabez Fisher, of Fitchburg, for his orchard noio almost perfect. 



Before preparing this report, the chairman of the committee 

 has carefully examined all the reports of former committees on 

 orchards, and competitors' statements of their management of 

 their respective orchards, and various incidental remarks on the 

 same subject, which have fallen from committees on fruits, and 

 committees on farms, and from dlher sources which have been 

 published in the several volumes of the Agriculture of Massa- 

 chusetts ; from these much that is valuable may be gathered. 

 Most individuals who have planted an orchard have made some 

 mistakes, either in their mode of planting, the selection of a 

 location, or subsequent management. These mistakes they 

 have stated to warn others that they may avoid the same. To 

 those about to plant an orchard, I would say, consider well the 

 subject before you begin ; you are about to erect a monument 

 for several generations to come ; if you, and those who come 

 after you do your duty, it will stand firm for more than a cen- 

 tury. Should a work of this magnitude be commenced without 

 due preparation ? The mere bringing together of all or many 

 important facts which have been well established by past expe- 

 rience of the most scientific cultivators of fruit, would not be 

 as satisfactory and convincing as for each individual to collect 



