416 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



and attention than that of apples has deterred many from un- 

 dertaking their culture. It is certain that the pear will not 

 grow by merely putting the tree into the ground and leaving it 

 to take care of itself. A knowledge of the kind of soil best 

 suited to its culture must first be had, then care in planting, 

 and afterwards such attention as will insure a healthy growth 

 of the tree, and the cultivator will be most fully rewarded 

 for all his trouble. 



The person who raises good winter apples may be sure of a 

 good market and a profitable return. The demand for apples 

 that will keep well will undoubtedly increase at home ; while 

 new inducements to enterprise constantly present themselves 

 in the increasing demand for exportation for foreign supply. 

 We say, then, to the farmers of Hampden County, exclude from 

 your premises the worthless varieties that take up the room 

 which by right belongs to their " betters," and raise none but 

 those kinds which will command a fair and remunerating price 

 in the market. 



Above all, take care of your orchards and fruit yards, and 

 do not suffer them to "go to grass" or become covered with 

 moss, but bestow upon them the same care that you do upon 

 your Indian corn and other crops of less value. A little atten- 

 tion every year will give you fine healthy trees, with smooth 

 bark, free from suckers and thick-growing branches, and freight- 

 ed with large and well-ripened products, such as none of us 

 would object to having in our fruit cellars. 



The committee are satisfied that great progress has been 

 made in this department of horticulture in Hampden within a 

 few years ; and they cherish the hope and expectation that the 

 county will ere long be in no respect behind her sister counties. 



Richard Bliss, Chair/nan. 



FRANKLIN. 



From the Report of the Committee. 



We are glad the attention of the farmers is now turned so 

 generally to the cultivation of good fruit, partly because we 

 regard it as one of the most lucrative employments in which they 



